Anyone who’s been a teenager knows that some questions feel too big—or too scary—to bring up with a parent. That’s exactly the gap Tel-jeunes was designed to fill: a free, confidential helpline run by professional counselors for teens aged 12 to 17 in Quebec.
Years of service: since 1991 ·
Age group supported: 12 to 17 ·
Contact methods: phone, text, chat ·
Hours of operation: 8 a.m. to midnight, 7 days a week ·
Languages offered: English and French
Quick snapshot
- Free service for teens in Quebec (Tel-jeunes official site)
- Professional counselors take all contacts (Tel-jeunes official site)
- Available daily 8 a.m. to midnight (Tel-jeunes contact page)
- Bilingual support in English and French (Tel-jeunes contact page)
- Exact number of counselors is not publicly listed (Tel-jeunes official site)
- Call volume statistics are not published (Tel-jeunes official site)
- Average wait time for text or chat is not disclosed (Tel-jeunes contact page)
- Founded in 1991 (Tel-jeunes official site)
- Listed in Quebec government mental health resources (Gouvernement du Québec)
- Included in federal Canada.ca mental health guide (Government of Canada)
- Consider reaching out by phone for immediate support (Tel-jeunes contact page)
- Text or chat may be less intimidating for first-time contact (Tel-jeunes contact page)
- Parent line 1-800-361-5085 if you’re a caregiver (Government of Canada)
Seven key details, one pattern: Tel-jeunes is built for low-barrier access across multiple channels with professional oversight.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Service Type | Crisis and general support helpline |
| Founded | 1991 |
| Age Group | 12-17 (plus parent line) |
| Languages | English, French |
| Cost | Free |
| Contact (Toll-Free) | 1-800-263-2266 |
| Contact (Text) | 514-600-1002 |
The data shows a service designed for maximum accessibility across multiple channels, all at no cost.
What is Tel-jeunes?
Tel-jeunes is a free, confidential professional help service designed specifically for teenagers aged 12–17 and their parents in Quebec. The Tel-jeunes official site describes it as a frontline support service that combines crisis intervention with everyday teen advice on topics like mental health, relationships, school stress, bullying, and sexuality. Unlike a general hotline, Tel-jeunes tailors every interaction to adolescent experiences.
Who founded Tel-jeunes?
Tel-jeunes was launched in 1991 as an initiative of the Tel-jeunes Foundation, a Quebec-based non-profit. According to the Tel-jeunes official site, it was created to fill a gap in youth-specific mental health and crisis support in the province. The service is distinct from adult hotlines because its counselors specialize in adolescent development and communication.
How long has Tel-jeunes been operating?
Tel-jeunes has been operating since 1991, over 30 years of continuous service. The Gouvernement du Québec includes Tel-jeunes in its official mental health resource directory, confirming its longstanding role in the province’s youth support ecosystem.
The pattern: a service that has outlasted countless other youth initiatives by staying focused on what teens actually need.
For Quebec teens seeking support, Tel-jeunes offers a dedicated pathway that adult helplines rarely match. The specialization means counselors aren’t guessing what it’s like to be 15 and anxious—they’re trained for it.
Is Tel-jeunes confidential?
Confidentiality is the foundation of Tel-jeunes. According to the Tel-jeunes contact page, the service guarantees confidentiality within legal limits. Calls and texts are not recorded, and your identity is never required to receive support.
Can Tel-jeunes share my information?
Under normal circumstances, no. However, Tel-jeunes states on its contact and administration page that it may contact emergency services if there is reason to believe a caller’s safety—or a third party’s safety—is at immediate risk. This is the standard legal exception any professional service must follow.
Are there any exceptions to confidentiality?
The only exception is imminent danger: if a teen is at risk of serious harm to themselves or someone else, the counselor has a legal and ethical obligation to involve emergency services. The Tel-jeunes contact page explicitly outlines the safety framework.
The catch: the promise of privacy is real for 99% of calls, but that 1% edge case is why mandatory reporting exists.
The promise of privacy versus the duty to protect creates a tight rope. For most teens, the risk of breach only activates in extreme scenarios—meaning day-to-day conversations about depression, family conflict, and school anxiety stay between the caller and the counselor.
How can I contact Tel-jeunes?
Tel-jeunes offers three ways to connect: phone, text message, and live chat. The Government of Canada’s mental health page lists all three, and each method has slightly different hours.
What is the Tel-jeunes phone number?
- Youth line: 1-800-263-2266 — toll-free, available 8 a.m. to midnight, 7 days a week (Tel-jeunes contact page)
- Parent line: 1-800-361-5085 — same hours, same counselors (Government of Canada)
- Administration: 514-288-1444 — for non-crisis inquiries (211 Québec)
How do I text Tel-jeunes?
- Text number: 514-600-1002 (Tel-jeunes contact page)
- Text hours: 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., per the Gouvernement du Québec
How do I use the Tel-jeunes chat?
- Chat URL: teljeunes.com
- Chat hours: 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., same as text (Gouvernement du Québec)
The implication: text and chat cut off 90 minutes before phone, so late-night callers should dial rather than type.
What age group does Tel-jeunes support?
Tel-jeunes focuses on adolescents aged 12 to 17. The Tel-jeunes official site states that its services are dedicated to young people aged 12–17, their parents, school staff, and significant adults in adolescents’ lives.
Is Tel-jeunes only for teenagers?
Teens are the primary audience, but Tel-jeunes also offers a parent line (1-800-361-5085) for caregivers who need advice on how to support their adolescent. According to the Government of Canada, the parent line connects to professional counselors trained in adolescent psychology.
Can adults or younger children use Tel-jeunes?
Children under 12 and adults over 17 who are not parents are generally directed to other resources. The Gouvernement du Québec also lists Info-Social 811 as a free, confidential 24/7 telephone consultation service for all Quebec residents of any age.
What this means: Tel-jeunes draws a clear line around its core audience, but offers a practical off-ramp for those outside it.
Is Tel-jeunes free?
Yes, all Tel-jeunes services are completely free. The Tel-jeunes official site confirms there are no fees, no hidden costs, and no subscription required. Calls to 1-800-263-2266 are toll-free from anywhere in Quebec and Canada.
Are there any costs for calling or texting?
No. The phone line is toll-free, and text messages to 514-600-1002 are free of charge. Standard carrier rates for SMS do not apply because Tel-jeunes uses a dedicated short code. The Gouvernement du Québec lists Tel-jeunes as a free intervention service.
Does Tel-jeunes charge for chat?
No. The live chat on teljeunes.com is free and anonymous. You don’t need to create an account or share any identifying information to start a chat session.
The pattern: Tel-jeunes removes every financial and logistical barrier it can control.
Upsides
- Professional counselors trained in adolescent development (Tel-jeunes official site)
- Multiple contact channels (phone, text, chat) reduce barriers (Government of Canada)
- Bilingual support in English and French (Tel-jeunes contact page)
- No cost, no registration, no identification required (Tel-jeunes official site)
Downsides
- Limited operating hours—phone ends at midnight, text/chat at 10:30 p.m. (Gouvernement du Québec)
- Primary audience limited to ages 12–17; younger children or adults may feel underserved (Tel-jeunes official site)
- No published wait times for text and chat responses (Tel-jeunes contact page)
- No mobile app—relies on standard phone, SMS, or browser chat (Government of Canada)
“Tel-jeunes is a free and confidential frontline support service for teens aged 12–17 and their parents in Quebec.”
— Tel-jeunes official site (service description)
“We guarantee confidentiality within legal limits. Calls and texts are not recorded.”
— Tel-jeunes contact and administration page
For Quebec teens and their families, the choice is clear: Tel-jeunes provides a professional, confidential, and free first step toward support. If you’re a teen in Quebec struggling with anxiety, depression, bullying, or just need someone who listens, call 1-800-263-2266 or text 514-600-1002. For parents, the parent line at 1-800-361-5085 offers the same professional guidance without sitting on the sidelines. The takeaway: Tel-jeunes removes the hardest part of getting help—the first contact.
Related reading: France Castel · Michèle Richard
ctvnews.ca, didihirsch.org, sante.gouv.qc.ca, csllibrary.org, findahelpline.com, linkedin.com, teljeunes.com
Frequently asked questions
Is Tel-jeunes only for Quebec residents?
Tel-jeunes is designed for teens living in Quebec, but the phone line and text are accessible from anywhere in Canada. The Government of Canada lists Tel-jeunes as a national youth resource. If you’re outside Quebec, you can still call 1-800-263-2266.
Can I use Tel-jeunes if I am not a teen?
Tel-jeunes focuses on youth aged 12–17, but its parent line is open to any adult caregiver. For adults seeking personal mental health support, Gouvernement du Québec recommends Info-Social 811 (24/7) and local community health centers.
What kind of training do Tel-jeunes counselors have?
Tel-jeunes employs professional counselors with training in social work, psychology, or related fields. According to the Tel-jeunes official site, all staff receive ongoing training in adolescent development and crisis intervention.
Does Tel-jeunes have a mobile app?
No. Tel-jeunes does not currently offer a dedicated mobile app. You can access all services through the phone number, text number, or browser chat at teljeunes.com.
How quickly will someone answer my call or text?
Tel-jeunes does not publish average response times. The contact page advises that during busy periods, you may need to wait. For urgent concerns, voice call is typically the fastest method.
Can I contact Tel-jeunes for a friend?
Yes. You can reach out on behalf of a friend who might be struggling. Counselors can offer guidance on how to support them, and the service remains confidential for you as the caller.
Is there a limit to how many times I can contact Tel-jeunes?
No. There is no cap on how often you can call, text, or chat. Tel-jeunes is available every day, for as many times as you need support.
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Noah Gagnon is Senior Regional Reporter at Northern Focus, covering breaking stories and community-sourced tips across Canada.