Get virtual support with Facebook Messenger
Did you know you can use Facebook Messenger to access Kids Help Phone’s free, 24/7 e-mental health support? You can get confidential support across Canada from our trained, volunteer crisis responders using the Facebook website or the Messenger app!
Loneliness. School. Sex. Sometimes, we may want help with something on our mind, but we’re not sure how to get started. And if we’re dealing with an issue we find hard to talk about, like a crisis, it can be tough to say it out loud.
By contacting us through Messenger, you can get support from a crisis responder any time, about anything, via the Messenger app or Facebook website.
To contact us using Messenger, you:
- need to have access to the Messenger app or Facebook website
- must agree to Facebook’s terms of service in your province/territory, including reaching their age requirement
- need to have Messenger installed, in order to access this service from a mobile device
If you need support but can’t/prefer not to use Messenger, you can still call or text us any time!
All messages are answered by Kids Help Phone’s crisis responders who will listen to you and help you move from a hot moment to a cool calm. Crisis responders are trained, dedicated volunteers from across Canada who are passionate about helping people. Crisis responders are supervised by professional Kids Help Phone staff.
Please note crisis responders are not professional counsellors. If you’d like to talk with a counsellor, you can still call Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868.
Follow these steps to reach one of our crisis responders via Messenger!
- You send us a message using the Messenger app or Facebook website.
- You receive some messages about your privacy.
- A crisis responder receives your message and lets you know they’re here to listen.
- The crisis responder will help you move from a hot moment to a cool moment.
- You can end the conversation at any time by sending in the word STOP. (This means that we won’t send you any more messages unless you message us again.)
In addition to Facebook’s terms of service, Kids Help Phone is committed to ensuring and protecting your privacy. We only store information that helps us understand and improve our service, but we’ll never reveal identifying information about you.
If you’d like to erase any information you shared with Kids Help Phone, you can respond with the word LOOFAH and all of your conversation data will be deleted automatically.
Your conversation with a crisis responder is confidential. To find out more about what that means, check out our texting service’s privacy policy, which includes information on duty to report.
Facebook doesn’t use Messenger data in their advertising systems, but they do have your conversation data when you use the app or website.
Welcome to our Live Chat.
Live Chat is available from midnight until 7:00 a.m. You can always text CONNECT to 686868 to reach a trained volunteer Crisis Responder 24/7.
For a better mobile chatting experience, download our Always There app
Get information about how your thoughts, feelings and behaviours are connected and what you can do to care for your well-being. Learning about mental health can help empower you with the language to communicate how you’re feeling.
Find resources
Practise with tools, tips and resources to help build your skills and improve your wellness in the way that feels best for you. Learn how to identify your strengths, communicate thoughts and feelings, overcome obstacles and connect with support.
Take a quiz
Find out how much you know about specific topics and get resources to learn more.
Play a game
Reduce stress and have fun at the same time.
Map out your support network
Identify who and where your community is to get help when you need it.
Share what’s on your mind
Try different tools to express how you’re feeling.
Make a safety plan
Access tools for safety planning and reporting.
Practise mindfulness
Regain calm and relax with these activities.
Try a self-assessment
Identify how you’re feeling and find resources to support you right now.
Explore lived experiences from other young people across Canada. Learn from real-life youth stories, gain new ideas and ask questions to connect and inspire your own wellness journey.
If you need help right now, you can talk to a trained volunteer crisis responder about anything you're going through. No issue is too big or too small.
If you identify as Indigenous,
you can ask to be connected with a First Nations, Inuk or Métis crisis responder (if one’s available) by messaging FIRST NATIONS, INUIT or METIS to 686868 or through Facebook Messenger. All of our e-mental health services are free 24/7 for people across Canada.
Connect with a professional counsellor to better understand what you're going through and help take a step in the direction you want to go.
