Throughout the summer, Kids Help Phone’s professional counsellors hear from young people of all ages who are worried about how the next school year will affect their friendships.
In fact, 18 per cent of Kids Help Phone’s online and phone contacts this past April, May, and June related to peer relationships.
“I often hear from youth who are worried about their friends hanging out with new cliques,” says counsellor Cheryl-Lynn. “Others worry about drifting apart from their old friends as they transition into middle or high school, or they worry they won’t have anyone to hang out with at all.”
Students up to age 20 readily reach out to Kids Help Phone’s professional counsellors for support during the back to school season, either online or by phone. A popular method for kids to explore a problem or learn on their own is the InfoBooth on kidshelpphone.ca, which is an online library of clinically vetted information on a wide variety of topics.
This August, kidshelpphone.ca offers brand new content to help teens and young adults who have questions or concerns about friendship.
This trusted source of information, written just for them, includes two new quizzes – “How strong is my friend connection?” and “Are you a good friend?” – along with tips to help young people cope with shyness, jealousy, loneliness and isolation. It also covers important questions about making friends, ending a friendship, and what to do when friends are fighting or drifting apart.
Kids Help Phone receives a lot of contacts about friendships, which is why the organization focusses on providing young people with up-to-date information on the topic.
“We also understand that friends can play a really important role in young people’s lives, and that sometimes they need help to navigate these relationships,” officials state.
About 23% of online and phone contacts at Kids Help Phone relate to peer relationships, including friendship. About 6% are from kids who want to help other kids.
Friends can be an important source of social support, which can make it easier to cope. Support is linked to lower rates of depression, greater self-esteem, and positive attitudes towards school.
