Mental Health: Making it Matter
- Jan 01, 2022
- Celebrate
- 4 minutes read
Start the New Year in the best possible way—by showing up for Canadian youth and sparking a mental health conversation. Over the past two years, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a rise in mental health issues across Canada. That’s why we created the Mental Health Medal, with 100% of the net profits going to Kids Help Phone. Because grown-up problems aren’t just for grown-ups!
2022 Mental Health Medal
Start the New Year in the best possible way—by showing up for Canadian youth and sparking a mental health conversation. Over the past two years, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a rise in mental health issues across Canada. That’s why we created the Mental Health Medal, with 100% of the net profits going to Kids Help Phone. Because grown-up problems aren’t just for grown-ups!
Our 2022 Mental Health Medal and Magnet is more important than ever. For the past two-years, Canadians have been asked to help our communities by staying apart. Now it’s time to bridge the gap by helping each other speak up and offering support to those who are struggling. The benefits of this medal are three-fold; it shows someone in your life that you are grateful and that his or her efforts are recognized, it starts the very important conversation about mental health, and 100% of its net proceeds go to Kids Help Phone. This medal is a simple reminder that no one is truly alone, that there is someone willing to listen, and that what you are experiencing really matters.
According to Statistics Canada, ‘the pandemic has impacted the mental health of Canadians, with youth experiencing the greatest declines.’ Children thrive in environments that are safe, structured and predictable—the COVID-19 pandemic has been anything but. A Canadian study of children and youth by Cost et al. (2021) found that 67%-70% of children and youth have “experienced deterioration in at least one mental health domain.”
In 2020, Kids Help Phone saw more than 4.6 million connections with young people—more than double the self-directed sessions, number of calls, texts and chats received in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. During the first month of the pandemic, demand for its services increased by 112% compared to the same month in 2019.
Kids Help Phone ensures young people in Canada have access to mental health support in any moment of crisis or need, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is Canada’s only 24/7 e-mental health service offering free, confidential support to young people in English and French. They work tirelessly to make sure every young person in Canada will have access to the support they need in the way they need it most. By always being open, they provide a safe and trusted place for young people in any moment of crisis or need. Your medal will help ensure the 631 texts, 564 phone calls and 94 Live Chats that come in daily across Canada are answered by someone who cares.
“Through this deeply thought out symbol of support, we will continue to drive awareness towards important mental health conversations and actions,” said Katherine Hay, President and CEO, Kids Help Phone. “Both youth and adults have been deeply impacted by the unprecedented challenges faced because of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly with their mental health. By rallying as a staff team and inspiring a nation, the Mint’s generous contributions from this medal will not only help open up the dialogue about mental health but also help Kids Help Phone continue to break down barriers and provide e-mental health solutions for youth and adults across Canada, while driving transformational change in e-mental health solutions.”
So, wear your medal with pride and help us shatter the silence that surrounds mental health. Learn more about Kids Help Phone and their life-changing support programs at www.kidshelpphone.ca.
Minting Our Thanks
We’ve all heard the phrase not all heroes wear capes. A lot of them do wear masks though. Throughout the current COVID-19 pandemic a new roster of heroes has emerged. While the majority of us stayed home to stop the spread, these frontline heroes played an integral role in keeping our communities safe, healthy, connected, and well-stocked with essentials.
A Passion To Do Something Special | 2020 Recognition Medal
With a passion to do something special, something that would show appreciation to all the heroes amongst us, the idea of the 2020 Recognition Medal was ignited, and quickly came to life, thanks to the hard work, dedication, and benevolence of Mint employees.