Kids Help Phone

Kids Help Phone (in French Jeunesse, J'écoute) is a Canadian organization which provides counselling and education for the benefit of children, which is free to use through its toll-free phone counselling service for children and youth. The organization is a registered charity. A recent lack of funding has forced it to close down its [http://www.parenthelpline.ca/revised_2006/home_eng.html Parent Help Line] .

Programs

Kids Help Phone

Kids Help Phone is both the name of the organization, and the name of its main service. It Is a toll-free number which children can call for free assistance and counseling. The counsellors are all paid professionals, with backgrounds in psychiatry, psychology, and Mental Health, among othersFact|date=February 2007.

Kids Help Phone can also refer children to appropriate agencies or shelters across Canada.

Kids Help Phone does not trace calls, and does not use caller ID, making all communications anonymous, with the exception of calls which show up on the caller's phone bill. While the service is designed to be completely free, it is possible to be charged for minutes, particularly when using a cell phone, although some phone companies have removed any charges associated with the serviceFact|date=February 2007.

In 2004, the main subjects children called about were relationships (38%), Physical and Sexual Health (20%), and Emotional and Mental Health (16%). [ [http://www.kidshelpphone.ca/beingthereforkids/newsroom/stats.html Statistical Information] ]

Public Awareness

Another component of the organization is general public education. TV, print, and the internet, are used to educate people on how to find assistance, and the issue of childhood abuse. It also has educational programs in schools to deal with bullying, and other issues affecting children.

tudent Ambassador program

The organization also runs a Student Ambassador program. High school students volunteer from across the country to raise awareness of Kids Help Phone within their schools and communities. They are trained by Kids Help Phone, and in return, they help raise awareness of, and money for, the service.

Student Ambassadors also:
* act as liaisons between their schools and Kids Help Phone
* volunteer at Kids Help Phone events
* participate in focus groups and forums
* provide Kids Help Phone with valuable insight into youth issues

ee also

*Crisis Hotline
*Childline - a similar service provided by a UK charity.
*Kids Help Line - a similar service in Australia.

References

External links

* [http://www.kidshelpphone.ca Official website]