Because anxiety, depression, and loneliness don't sound like kid issues - but they are - on Sunday, May 6, Canadians raised more than $2m so kids can talk

More than 40 communities stepped forward for one cause - kids - and joined Canada's largest walk to support child and youth mental health and well-being

TORONTO, May 7, 2012 /CNW/ - Every young person in Canada will experience feelings of sadness, worry, and uncertainty. It's an inevitable part of growing up. Some will find the challenge hard. Others will find it difficult. And for a few, it'll be impossible to bear. Sharing the belief that no child should ever feel unloved, unheard or hopeless, on Sunday May 6, thousands of Canadians raised more than $2 million for the Walk so Kids Can Talk, ensuring kids, teens, and young adults can continue to turn to Kids Help Phone's professional counsellors 24/7 for free, anonymous, confidential support, information, resources and referrals.

"Every day, we connect with young people who feel stuck or let down," says Duane, a Kids Help Phone professional counsellor. "They worry about their grades, friendships, and bullying. Others reach out because of abuse, addictions, or with suicidal thoughts. Whatever the challenge they are facing, they come to Kids Help Phone because they are looking for ideas, options, or suggestions; to know that they are not alone; or because they aren't ready to talk to a parent or a teacher about a problem. It takes a lot of strength to seek help, no matter what the problem is, and I make sure to let our clients know that. Thanks to everyone who took part in this year's Walk, I'll be able to keep spreading that message to young people across Canada."

As a charity, Kids Help Phone relies on fundraising events like the Walk to deliver a critical and essential service to young people throughout Canada, when and how they need support most. All funds raised by the Walk go directly to support Kids Help Phone's essential service. This year's Walk was particularly crucial for the professional counselling service, which has been experiencing increased demand. "We asked communities across the country to step forward and be there for kids," says Sharon Wood, President and CEO, Kids Help Phone, "so that our service can continue being there for kids. The response was extremely inspiring. The spirit and generosity Canadians demonstrated at this year's Walk so Kids Can Talk will provide help and hope to the thousands of young people that contact Kids Help Phone every day."

Pledges and contributions are still being tallied. Because every minute of every day is an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the kids of Canada, the Walk so Kids Can Talk fundraising campaign continues until May 31^st. Donors can visit walksokidscantalk.ca to make a pledge today.

About Kids Help Phone

Kids Help Phone is Canada's leading online and phone counselling service for youth. It's free, it's anonymous and confidential, and it's available any time of the day or night, 365 days a year in English and in French.  Professional counsellors support the mental health and well-being of young people, ages five to 20, by providing one-on-one counselling, information and resources.  As a community-based national charity, Kids Help Phone receives no core government funding and relies on community and corporate support to fund its essential and vital service.

To set up an interview about the Walk so Kids Can Talk, please contact:

Liz Worth, Communications Coordinator:
416-581-8955
1-800-268-3062 ext. 8955
[email protected]