The Role of Child Helplines in Promoting Children & Young People’s Mental Health Across Europe

Initiated in 2007 following dedicated advocacy by Child Helpline International and its partners, 116 111 was designed to be a free, accessible child helpline number, providing young people with critical support for mental health and other crises. Each year, child helplines in Europe receive over a million counselling contacts, addressing issues ranging from anxiety and depression, violence and family and peer relationships. Child helplines have since become essential components of national child protection and mental health systems, highlighted in EU and UN child rights frameworks. 

Read more about the status of the 116 111 child helpline number here.

Launching Our New Report: Addressing the Mental Health Crisis Among Europe’s Youth 

In conjunction with the anniversary of the 116 111 number, Child Helpline International is excited to launch a significant report: Supporting Children & Young People’s Mental Health in Europe: The Impact and Role of Child Helplines. Illustrated through child helpline data and insights from child helplines, this report sheds light on the alarming mental health challenges that young people across Europe face, and underscores the essential role that child helplines play in providing early intervention and counselling to millions of children. 

The report draws from data provided by 30 European child helplines, covering 2019 to 2022, and it reveals several concerning trends. Depression, loneliness, and grief emerged as the most common mental health issues, with nearly 200,000 counselling sessions conducted for mood disorders alone. Anxiety and fear-related problems were similarly prevalent, with suicidal thoughts and self-harm behaviours on the rise. Notably, nonbinary youth contact helplines about suicide and self-harm at disproportionately high rates, indicating a dire need for inclusive support services. 

Key Recommendations from the Report 

To address these pressing issues, the report presents recommendations that are pivotal to ensuring young people receive the mental health care they need. These recommendations include: 

1. Increasing Funding and Resources: Enhanced financial support is critical to help child helplines sustain 24/7 operations, especially to support outreach in underserved areas.
     
2. Reducing Waiting Times and Improving Access: Prolonged waiting lists for mental health services can worsen children’s issues, leading to serious complications like suicidality and severe anxiety. Child helplines play a crucial role in bridging this gap by offering immediate support, but systemic reforms are necessary to shorten waiting times and expand access to mental health services generally and for those requiring long-term support.

    

3. Expanding Mental Health Education: Society-wide education campaigns can help reduce stigma and encourage early intervention by educating children, families, and educators on mental health. However, this effort needs to be more widespread and better supported to create a culture of openness and understanding around mental well-being.

    

4. Strengthening National Mental Health Action Plans: Recognizing child helplines as essential services within national frameworks will ensure these helplines have the support they need to operate sustainably.

    

5. Supporting Vulnerable Groups: Targeted resources are required to address the unique needs of vulnerable groups, including refugees, LGBTQ+ youth, and children in rural or underserved areas.
    
6. Enhancing Collaboration: Better coordination between child helplines, schools, government bodies and other stakeholders is essential to provide comprehensive mental health support and advocacy for Europe’s youth.