Kids Help Phone launches new support 'zone' to improve teen guys' mental health

Stigma and stereotypes contribute to reluctance to seek help and to an increase in dangerous coping behaviors

TORONTO, Oct. 8, 2015 /CNW/ - Teenage guys engage in high-risk behaviours and die by suicide more frequently than young women.  Today, Kids Help Phone, with generous funding support from the Movember Foundation, launched BroTalk (www.brotalk.ca), a dedicated online support zone and referral service that provides teen guys aged 14 to 18 with somewhere to reach out to when times are tough.

As Canada's only national helpline for young people, Kids Help Phone recognized the need to create a resource specifically for teen guys to address the fact that the young men who reach out for counselling are 31 per cent less likely to discuss mental and emotional health issues than girls, and 36 per cent less likely to talk about suicide and suicide related issues.

BroTalk has been designed to address issues that prevent teen guys from reaching out — stigma, gender stereotypes and the term "mental health" —  and provide options for support including direct access to a Kids Help Phone counsellor through Live Chat, information and interactive tools.

"We frequently hear about the importance of talking about mental health, but when that very word poses barriers to the way some of our most vulnerable young people access help, Kids Help Phone knew we needed to make a change," said Sharon Wood, President and CEO, Kids Help Phone. "BroTalk has been created to empower teen guys to arrive at solutions to the problems they face before they're in crisis."

Kids Help Phone is proud to recognize the Movember Foundation as the Principal Funder of BroTalk.

"We are very proud to be launching Bro Talk in partnership with Kids Help Phone, it's an incredible resource that teenage boys can use when they are in need of support," said Jesse Hayman, Community Engagement Director, Movember Canada. "We know that starting conversations early will help boys both cope and make decisions as they grow older.  This is an important program that we're confident will help boys live happier, healthier and longer lives."

More information can be found at www.brotalk.ca

About Kids Help Phone

Kids Help Phone is charity that provides counselling and referrals as the only national helpline for young people. Since 1989, it has offered kids and teens hope and support through its confidential and anonymous service. As an organization that speaks with young people every day, Kids Help Phone works to share their perspectives and improve their well-being on a societal level. Kids Help Phone raises the majority of its revenue from individuals, foundations, corporations, and community fundraising.

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About the Movember Foundation

The Movember Foundation is a global charity raising funds and awareness for men's health. These funds deliver breakthrough research and support services to allow men to live happier, healthier, longer lives. Since 2003, millions have joined the men's health movement, raising more than $676 million and funding over 1,000 projects through impact investments, focusing on prostate cancer, testicular cancer, poor mental health and physical inactivity.

The Foundation runs awareness and fundraising activities year-round, with the annual Movember campaign in November being globally recognized for its fun and innovative approach to raising money and getting men to take action for their health. During Movember, we challenge men to grow a moustache or to make a commitment to get active and MOVE, both of which are about real action for health and are done to spark conversation and raise vital funds and awareness.

The Foundation's vision is to have an everlasting impact on the state of men's health. Movember is a registered charity in Canada - BN 848215604 RR0001. For more information visit Movember.com.

SOURCE Kids Help Phone

For further information: Media Contacts: Kids Help Phone, [email protected], [phone]; Movember Foundation, [email protected], (778) 837-112