10th International Consultation of Child Helplines (IC 2022)

Child Helpline International logo

Convened by
Child Helpline International

Europe-Sweden

Hosted by
Bris, Sweden

Resilience: Children and Child Helpline in Times of Crisis

In 2020, mental health and violence continued to be the two main reasons for contact reported by our Child Helpline Members globally. Over half of all counselling contacts were related to one of these two topics, clearly showing that it is our members who are at the forefront of addressing the global mental health crisis that children and young people are confronting. The IC 2022 focused on the resilience of children and young people, especially with regard to their mental health during the Covid-19 pandemic and during extreme crises such as the Russian-Ukrainian War; including how child helplines can further strengthen children’s resilience, and provide them with support to improve their situation.

At the same, the IC 2022 also looked at the resilience of our Child Helpline Members, who have shown tremendous fortitude in the face of global lockdowns, the Russian-Ukrainian War and other conflicts, and the significant impacts on how child protection services have been able to operate as a result of these events. Specific workshops looked at issues affecting the work of child helplines, including quality and standards, data and research, technology and advocacy.

Opening Speeches

The IC 2022 culminated in the announcement of the Stockholm Declaration, the statement made on behalf of all members of Child Helpline International, outlining the seven essential measures to be undertaken by all governments and the UN to ensure the rights of children, and the protection of children and young people all around the world. In addition it outlines the actions that should be undertaken by partners in civil society, international agencies and the private sector to support these measures.

Resilience has seen us all successfully overcome enormous pressures in this last period, and against these odds we have pushed on, further and further, with our work. With even more determination, we came together in Stockholm to support each other and to celebrate our movement and our work, which is done tirelessly each and every day and gives children and young people a voice that will truly be heard.

This event was was co-funded by the European Union’s Citizenship, Equality, Rights, Values Programme (2022-2025).