Many retailers and other organizations have teenage employees, especially during these summer months. Let young employees know specific support is available for them if they need it.
A while ago, I wrote about EAP or Employees’ Assistance Programs and their availability for employers to provide such programs for their employees. There is a similar form of assistance for youth, aged 5 years to 20 years.
The program is called “Kids Help Phone” – perhaps a bit of a misnomer, as it covers you up to 20 years of age. However, that being said, it is a free service, and it may well be something an employer would like to let all their employees about, even though it has nothing to do with direct employment.
The program is funded largely from corporations and private donations, involves over 10,000 volunteers across the country, is staffed by over 75 full and part-time professional counselors, and handles more than 225,000 counselling contacts a year. Youth can contact this service on a totally anonymous basis either by phone 1-800-668-6868 or online at www.kidshelpphone.ca
The service is totally private and confidential and covers a wide range of services from mental health, peer issues, family issues, sexuality, abuse, suicide, addictions, and on and on. The service is available 24/7/365 in both English and French.
Approximately 50% of the users are aged 12 to 16, and the second highest age group is the 17 to 20 age group.
- Bill Smyth CPA, FCGA, FCPA
For more information contact [email protected]