Surge in overnight calls to Kids Help Phone ‘a canary in the coal mine,’ CEO says
Kids Help Phone says the number of young people reaching out to the service overnight is increasing. It said it has seen a 24 per cent increase in overnight requests.
The number of support requests Kids Help Phone receives at night across Canada is surging, according to the organization's CEO. Between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. eastern time, demand for text-based help is 183% higher than daytime calls, and there's been a 24% increase in overnight requests compared to last year, as of June 30. Rebecca Shields, president and CEO of Kids Help Phone, likened the surge to a "canary in the coal mine," signaling broader issues at play.
Many callers have relationship problems, with depression and hopelessness being frequent concerns. Contributing factors include stressors like geopolitical events and financial worries as young people transition into adulthood. Overnight call rates vary province to province, with the highest increase reported in Yukon (64%) and the lowest in Quebec (10%).
In Yukon, the rise was due to a spike in demand, while in Manitoba, contacts increased by 30%. The B.C. Ministry of Health emphasized the importance of early intervention, expanding mental health facilities for young people. Experts caution against blanket bans on phones at bedtime, recommending parents speak to their kids and create plans for crisis situations.
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