About Us
About Kids Help Phone
Kids Help Phone is Canada’s only nation-wide, bilingual phone and on-line counselling service for youth aged 5-20. It’s free, anonymous and confidential. Professional counsellors are available any time of the day or night, 365 days a year, to help young people deal with whatever they are facing. Kids Help Phone has been a source of information, support, and referral for countless young people who are struggling with their own mental health or worried about someone close to them. In addition to our counselling services, Kids Help Phone is committed to engaging in outreach and public education initiatives that promote the well being of young people in Canada; Initiatives like The Jack Project.
About The Jack Project at Kids Help Phone
The Jack Project at Kids Help Phone is the legacy of Jack Windeler who, in March 2010, died by suicide during his first year of studies at Queen’s University.
We believe that we can learn from this tragedy. Jack’s story teaches us important lessons about the challenges 15 to 20 year olds face as they transition into adulthood; challenges compounded by widespread misperceptions about mental health, and the lack of accessible, co-ordinated mental health resources. These challenges highlight the limits of our support systems when it comes to meeting the needs of young people in Canada.
To address these challenges, The Jack Project will provide much-needed information and support to young people as they move from late-high school into college, university, or independent living. We will also equip key adults – parents, family members, and educators – with the knowledge they need to support the young people in their lives. Through this work we will help young people achieve and sustain optimal mental health during their transition years.
Our Approach
An initiative of Kids Help Phone and in partnership with the Mental Health Commission of Canada, The Jack Project will unite and strengthen existing resources across the two key spaces where our young people spend most of their time: online and in school. Within these spaces, our project will promote mental health literacy, challenge stigma, encourage help-seeking and help-giving behaviour, build and co-ordinate formal and informal networks of support. As we carry out our plan we will provide significant knowledge, hope and support to those entering the challenging transition from youth to adulthood.
The Jack Project’s school-based outreach program is now in its pilot year, and will be rolling-out plans for Phase II in the coming months. For more details visit The Pilot.
