Online appointments
We know it can be difficult for young people to get help on their own terms – and on their own time. To meet this need, we’ve launched Kickstand Connect – a free online portal that makes it easy to connect with mental health professionals and peer support workers by phone or video. No more waiting for a referral!
We’d like to thank ATB Financial for supporting Kickstand Connect last year with their 2021 ATB Teddy for a Toonie Campaign. With the support of ATB’s fundraising efforts, not only were we able to increase capacity to bring Kickstand to the virtual space – it also raised awareness of this new resource to young people, their friends and care providers across the province.
MoreGoodDays
It can often be tough to reach out to someone else for support or advice. We’ve felt the same.
Kickstand’s innovative MoreGoodDays message service can deliver a daily dose of inspiration and advice straight to your phone via text message. Whether you’re feeling high or low on any given day, these simple messages can shift your perspective and give you something positive to build on.
Get started by texting MoreGoodDays to 393939.
MoreGoodDays was pioneered by a University of Alberta researcher to support mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Kickstand was excited to work with 26 young people across Alberta to craft unique text messages designed to connect, encourage and empower. Give it a try!
MoreGoodDays is totally free – but if you normally pay to receive text messages, you may incur charges. Check with your carrier to be sure.
Reply STOP MoreGoodDays to opt out of the program.
Other tools and info
Kickstand is a new way for professionals to work together and help young people thrive in Alberta. In addition to this site and the centres we are setting up across the province, these other resources can help you manage your own health and wellness. All of these resources have been vetted by Kickstand.
Apps
These apps all focus on mindfulness, stress reduction and everyday mental health support and tips. These apps are all free but some also have a paid option to access additional conten
- Booster Buddy – Made by Vancouver Island Health, this app is designed to help establish and sustain positive wellness habits and earn achievements along the way.
- InsightTimer – In addition to meditation available in several languages, this app provides yoga, live events and the ability to take paid courses on various subjects.
- Stop, Breathe & Think – This app will ask you specific questions then identify a meditation based on how you feel.
- Smiling Mind – Designed for all ages, this app features hundreds of meditations organized into categories like mindful foundations, sleep, relationships, and workplace.
- UCLA Mindful– Built by the Mindful Awareness Research Center at UCLA, the app offers different meditations, working through difficult emotions and cultivating loving-kindness.
- Calm – This app has a 7-day program that makes it the ideal meditation app for beginners but also includes program for more advanced users.
- Aura – Similar to Stop, Breathe & Think, Aura learns about you by asking questions. You then receive a daily three-minute mindfulness meditation based on your answers.
- Headspace – The free version of the app includes meditations and exercises that will teach you the essentials of meditation and mindfulness.
- Mindshift – Developed by Anxiety Canada the app is designed specifically for anxiety and addresses worry, panic, perfectionism, social anxiety, and phobias.
- Healthy Minds – This problem-solving tool by The Royal helps you deal with emotions and cope with stresses students encounter both on and off campus.
Additional Information, Resources, Tools and Articles
These additional sites can help you navigate other aspects of wellness – from suicide prevention to body image to empowering gender diverse young people.
- Indigenous Youth Suicide Prevention by the Government of Alberta – This site includes helpful, accessible information on suicide prevention and a chat service in Cree, Ojibway and Inuktitut
- Kids Help Phone Articles & Resources Around Me – Advice and information about how to get help or help someone who might be in crisis.
- Children Mental Health Learning Series – This Government of Alberta site provides mental health resources to help caregivers, families and professionals support children and youth.
- mindyourmind– An Ontario-based resource that works with young people aged 14 to 29 to co-create interactive tools and innovative resources to build capacity and resilience.
- TeenMentalHealth – Powered by Alberta Health Services, this site provides resources for educators, health professionals, parents, and friends of teens who may be struggling.
- Wellness Together Canada – A mental health and substance use website to support people across Canada and Canadians living abroad in both official languages.
- Skipping Stone – This Alberta-based resource connects trans and gender diverse youth, adults and families with a comprehensive and low barrier access to support.
- Learn about a Healthy Body Image at MyHealth.Alberta.ca – A Government of Alberta site that helps young people understand and negotiate a healthy body image.
