The 13th annual Walk so Kids Can Talk fundraiser is set to take place Sunday in Saskatoon and 15 other communities across Canada, aiming to support young people facing mental health challenges.
Event Details
The event, funded by BMO Financial Group, will be held at the Saskatoon Fieldhouse located at 2020 College Drive. Grounds open at 10 a.m. on Sunday, May 3, with the five-kilometre walk starting at 11:30 a.m. Attendees can register online in advance at walksokidscantalk.ca or in person at the venue.
In addition to the walk, there will be a play area for children, a DJ, and free food available for participants.
Supporting Youth Mental Health
The walk raises funds for Kids Help Phone (KHP), a free, confidential, 24/7 counselling service for individuals aged five to 29. Samantha Summers, senior development officer of philanthropy at KHP, emphasized that the event is about bringing together friends, family, and the community to support youth mental health.
KHP provides an online platform where young people can express themselves and share their feelings in a safe environment. The service handles calls, texts, and interactions through social media, often addressing issues such as relationships, anxiety, stress, depression, suicide, and feelings of isolation.
Impact in Saskatchewan
In Saskatchewan alone, KHP supported more than 90,000 interactions with young people in 2025. This includes reaching remote and difficult-to-access communities, such as those in the far north of the province, where traditional services are often unavailable.
Calls in Saskatchewan increased by 16 per cent over the last year. Summers noted that events across Canada bring crucial support and promote mental health awareness.
National Trends
Nationally, KHP interacted with young people more than 3.7 million times last year. The organization saw a 43 per cent increase in suicide-related interactions from children aged 12 and under compared to 2024.
Community Involvement
Local youth will read poems about mental health and share their personal experiences with Kids Help Phone during the event. Summers encouraged attendees to engage in difficult conversations about mental health.
“I would love people to feel encouraged by the fact that, although there are some troubling trends in mental health in Canada, this event really highlights, showcases and celebrates the vast community that is coming together to address those issues,” she said.
“Anyone who is looking to feel like part of a larger movement, a larger solution, and a larger community that is working together to support young people, this is the perfect event for them,” Summers added.
