Jack.org (formerly known as The Jack Project under the charitable organization

Kids Help Phone Kids Help Phone (french: Jeunesse, J’écoute) is a Canadian charitable organization that provides online and telephone counselling and volunteer-led, text-based support in English and French to youth across Canada. Kids Help Phone also provi ...

) is a Canadian

non-profit organization A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...

focused on youth

mental health Mental health encompasses emotional, psychological, and social well-being, influencing cognition, perception, and behavior. It likewise determines how an individual handles stress, interpersonal relationships, and decision-making. Mental health ...

and

suicide prevention Suicide prevention is a collection of efforts to reduce the risk of suicide. Suicide is often preventable, and the efforts to prevent it may occur at the individual, relationship, community, and society level. Suicide is a serious public health ...

. Founded in 2010, the organization has four main programs: Jack Chapters, Jack Talks, Jack Summit, and Jack Ride.

History

In 2010, Eric Windeler and

Sandra Hanington Sandra Hanington was the Master of the Royal Canadian Mint (President and CEO). She was appointed to this position on February 11, 2015 and resigned on July 1, 2018. She was the fourth woman to serve in this capacity. Prior to her appointment, s ...

founded "The Jack Project". The project was named after their son, Jack Windeler, who had died by suicide when he was 18 years old. In Jack Windeler's parting letter, he asked for his parents to help others. To honor his wishes, they focused on helping young people struggling with mental health issues. Initially, the pair collaborated with

to create the Jack Windeler Memorial Fund in their late son's honor. The fund raised almost $1 million that was used to expand existing health initiatives. They decided to formally launch the Jack Project in April 2010. By July 2010, Eric Windeler had left his software company to work on the Jack Project full-time. In early days, the organization's efforts focused on workshops, outreach programs, and live chat services, which specifically targeted Canadian youth in the age of technology. In addition to their initiatives with Kids Help Phone, they started the Jack Ride program in 2010. This program brings individuals of all ages together to ride their bikes and fund-raise for youth mental health. In 2012, The Jack Project re-branded to Jack.org. Today, Jack.org has over 150 active chapters in universities, colleges, and high schools across Canada. The program also maintains more than 80 trained Jack Talks speakers who have delivered 250 talks to date. They also host 200 students annually at a national summit in Toronto, which is the largest youth-led mental health conference. In May 2018, Ben Sabic — Chair of Kids Help Phone's National Youth Council — led a partnership with Jack.org and the council, to support the organization's "We Are Ready campaign". Through posts across Facebook and Twitter, the goal was to generate greater awareness around the campaign.

Royal Recognition

On October 1, 2016,

Prince William William, Prince of Wales, (William Arthur Philip Louis; born 21 June 1982) is the heir apparent to the British throne. He is the elder son of King Charles III and his first wife Diana, Princess of Wales. Born in London, William was educat ...

and

Kate Middleton Catherine, Princess of Wales, (born Catherine Elizabeth Middleton; 9 January 1982) is a member of the British royal family. She is married to William, Prince of Wales, heir apparent to the British throne, making Catherine the likely next ...

accompanied 18 youth mental health advocates from Jack.org on a sailing ride on the Pacific Grace. The Duke and Duchess have made a priority of dispelling the stigma around mental health, as evidence by their campaign, Heads Together. As such, the pair has commended Jack.org on their efforts in the youth mental health space. Prince William has continued to show his support for the organization and made a video appearance at the 2018 Jack Summit.

Be There

In 2019, Jack.org launched an online mental health resource for young people in Canada called Be There. The resource was launched as part of Mental Health Week, a nationwide initiative by the Canadian Mental Health Association.

References

{{Reflist 2010 establishments in Ontario Children's charities based in Canada Mental health organizations in Canada Non-profit organizations based in Toronto Suicide prevention Youth organizations based in Canada

External links

BeThere.org