This report brings together data from 2023 from 36 child helplines across Europe, highlighting the essential role they play in supporting children and young people through some of their most challenging experiences.
The findings of this report reveal an urgent need for more robust support systems to address mental health and violence – two key child rights priorities in Europe, as well as across the international child rights community. Mental health issues are some of the most common reasons for reaching out, while violence, particularly bullying and emotional abuse, remains a major concern. Struggles with family and peer relationships further impact young people’s wellbeing. This report spotlights these three main reasons for contacting child helplines in Europe.
Mental Health
Mental health remains the most frequent reason for children and young people to make contact with a child helpline in Europe, accounting for 38.4% of the total counselling contacts received, with girls representing the majority of these contacts, especially for issues such as eating disorders and self-harming behaviour.
Violence
Violence was the second most frequent reason for children and young people to make contact, with 16.5% of them seeking help from a child helpline because of experience of abuse or neglect.
Family and Peer Relationships
Family and peer relationships were the third and fourth most frequent reasons for children and young people to make contact with European child helplines, comprising 15.4% and 10.9% of contacts, respectively.
Our key insights emphasize the crucial role of child helplines as first responders, offering immediate support and guidance.
