It was announced today that Canadian superstars Seth Rogen and Alessia Cara, along with actress Madison Bailey, are joining the stellar lineup of actors, musicians, and athletes for UNSINKABLE YOUTH, the one-hour special in support of Canadian youth. Presented by Unsinkable, Kids Help Phone, and Bell Media and hosted by Olympian and Unsinkable founder Silken Laumann and NEVER HAVE I EVER star Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, the new special premieres this Friday, May 22 at 1 p.m. ET on CTV and everywhere CTV content can be found.
Previously announced personalities appearing in the special include Hayley Wickenheiser, Jacob Tremblay, Johnny Orlando, Lauren Orlando, Lennon Stella, Tessa Virtue, The Reklaws, and Wali Shah.
“Youth from across the country have opened their hearts and shared with us about what the experience of COVID has been like for them. They have told us what they need from the adults in their life and what their hopes are. The voices of Seth, Alessia, Maitreyi, Madison, and Johnny are powerful because they have dared to be real and vulnerable with the youth,” said Silken Laumann, Olympian/Founder, Unsinkable.
“I am delighted to join forces with Silken Laumann and Kids Help Phone on this very important project,” said Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Co-Host, UNSINKABLE YOUTH. “We have all had to cancel plans and limit interactions with friends and loved ones in order to stay safe and keep everyone healthy. And while we understand that it’s the right thing to do, that doesn’t diminish the fact that this has been especially hard on kids and teens just like me. My hope is that UNSINKABLE YOUTH will encourage young Canadians to reach out, speak up and know that it’s ok to say this is hard.”
Unsinkable and Kids Help Phone have invited organizations to encourage a “meeting free” policy during the event so that families can experience it together.
Kids Help Phone Stats
- Outreach to Kids Help Phone has more than doubled across Canada during the COVID-19 crisis;
- Outreach doubled in Nova Scotia following the mass shooting;
- Demand for service remains 63% higher on texting platform, 55%higher through phones;
- Kids Help Phone conducts 5 – 10 active rescues for people in danger of suicide per day.