Helping Calgary kids walk the phone, mental health support

More than 600 Calgarians lined up to participate in the BMO Walk so kids can talk.

The five-mile walk, located at 844 2nd Ave. in Peace Park, was one of 17 walks across the country on Sunday.

The event utilizes Kids Help Phone, Canada's only 24/7 national electronic mental health service, offering free and confidential multilingual support to youth.

World events have fueled the surge in calls, officials said.

“Last year, Kids Help Phone had more than four million interactions with young people, and nearly 19 million since the pandemic,” said Winnette Sampson, Kids Help Phone's interim vice president of philanthropy and community partnerships.

“We know we have to be there for young people and give them the tools they need so they can talk without judgment, no matter what they're facing and what they're feeling.”

Walks nationwide raised $3.7 million toward Kids Help Phone's $300 million goal.

Learn more at KidsHelpPhone.ca.