“I want to thank the person who spoke to me in a text message. I left from Tel Aviv distressed because I broke up from a friend, although I initiated it. When I arrived in Akko, I was surer of myself…”
Communicating by SMS messaging is just one of the ways that children have been using technology to get the help they need. As well as using text messages, children and youth in Israel have also been communicating with the Child Helpline at ERAN using chat services.
Here are just two examples of the messages ERAN has received back from users.
“I just got off the phone with someone from you. I told her that I’m tired of living like this, that I am stressed and anxious. I was like paralysed, with sweat and heart palpitations. She helped me with deep breaths and to relax. It was really good and now I will like to use this every time I get anxiety again.”
“Thank you very much. I told things here I didn’t tell anyone, and felt you understood me. I felt like I was not alone because you are with me and together we are trying to figure out what’s going on. The conversation helped me feel better about myself. I realised that I have forces.”
Every child has a voice, and by using all the different technologies available, we’re continuing to make sure that no child is being left unheard.