08/18/2026
An article from the Ottawa Citizen highlights something Counselling Therapists already see every day in our clinical work: kids are reaching out more, but they’re doing it alone, through searches, late night scrolling, and quiet attempts to understand what’s happening inside them.
The rise in online help seeking is a signal of both need and isolation. And the antidote to isolation is connection, not just with adults, but with each other.
Here are ways we can help kids come together more often, in ways that feel natural, safe, and emotionally protective.
1⃣ Create low pressure spaces where kids can simply be together
Kids don’t bond through formal “mental health groups”, they bond through shared activity. What helps is designing spaces where connection is the by product, not the headline.
Examples:
• Art tables, craft corners, or “make something” afternoons
• Lego building, puzzles, collaborative games
• Baking or smoothie making sessions
• Nature walks, geocaching, or “find something beautiful” scavenger hunts
These activities give kids something to do while they’re together, which lowers self consciousness and opens the door to conversation.
2⃣ Normalize peer support without making it heavy
Kids often feel like they’re the only one struggling. You can help them see each other gently.
Ideas:
• “Feelings check in stones” where kids pick a stone that matches their mood and place it in a bowl; no talking required unless they want to
• A shared “What helps me” wall where kids anonymously add strategies
• Group rituals like ending each session with one thing they’re proud of
This builds community without forcing vulnerability.
3⃣ Introduce characters or metaphors (like Heart & Soul Counselling Therapy's very own upcoming support friend: Sammy the Squirrel!) to bridge connection
Kids connect through story. When you introduce a character who experiences worry, loneliness, or big feelings, kids relate together, not just individually.
Sammy the Squirrel will be able to:
• Share weekly “Notes from the Meadow”
• Invite kids to help him solve a problem
• Model asking for help from his meadow friends
This creates a shared emotional language that feels safe and playful.
4⃣ Build micro communities inside schools and clinics
Kids don’t need large groups, they need consistent ones.
You can help schools or parents create:
• Lunch time “hangout tables” hosted by a caring adult
• After school “quiet clubs” for kids who don’t thrive in sports
• Peer buddy programs for transitions (new school, new grade, new challenges)
Consistency is what reduces loneliness, not size.
5⃣ Teach kids how to reach toward each other
Many kids want connection but don’t know how to initiate it.
You can teach:
• How to ask someone to play
• How to say “I’m having a hard day” in kid friendly language
• How to notice when a friend might need kindness
• How to set boundaries while still staying connected
These are small skills that make a big difference.
6⃣ Support parents in creating connection friendly homes
Parents often think connection means big outings. In reality, kids bond through:
• Shared meals
• Board games
• Helping with chores
• Reading together
• Family walks
You can help parents understand that connection is built in minutes, not events.
7⃣ Make mental health conversations communal, not individual
Instead of “You need help,” shift to:
• “Lots of kids feel this way.”
• “You’re not the only one.”
• “We figure things out together.”
Kids relax when they realize their feelings are part of a shared human experience.
8⃣ Use technology to bring kids together in healthy ways
Since kids are already searching online:
• Create short videos or posts from Sammy
• Offer group challenges (“Find three things that made you smile today”)
• Use QR codes in your workshops to connect kids to shared activities
This meets them where they already are.
When Orléans resident Raissa Amany was struggling with anxiety and depression as a high school student, getting help was not always straightforward.
