Kids Help Phone Develops 'Caring Gift Cards' to Promote Mental Health This Holiday Season

Demand for Kid's Help Phone services rises by 20% during the holidays– a time of year that can be extremely difficult for young people. In line with their mission Kids Help Phone and McCann Canada created a set of zero-dollar gift cards that remind youth of the free mental health support they can access during the holidays and beyond. These zero-dollar gift cards are shareable via Instagram and aim to remind caring adults amidst their holiday hustle and young people navigating seasonal emotional challenges about the crucial support available for mental well-being. The gift cards are aligned with the existing 'Feel Out Loud' platform that McCann has been developing with the brand.

“Kids Help Phone’s services are always free for young people, so a range of zero-dollar gift cards felt like the perfect metaphor. We hope they’ll serve as a simple reminder to those looking for a space to Feel Out Loud,” says Fernando Salvador, McCann Canada's creative director.

These six heart warming gift cards highlight different benefits of connecting with Kids Help Phone. Featuring illustrations by Toronto-based designer Adam 'The Ill-ustrator,' the cards portray characters like a meditating heart and a supportive sun to welcome newcomers to the service.

This initiative sheds light on the stress young people face during the holiday season and the invaluable support provided by Kids Help Phone. It presents an opportunity for caring adults to reinforce mental health resources for Canadian youth. The campaign is now live on Kid’s Help Phone’s Instagram and currently does not have an end date.