As the Secretary General of the Swedish child helpline BRIS, and as the Regional Representative for Europe for Child Helpline International, I have witnessed first-hand the profound impact child helplines can have on the lives of children and young people. In 2023 alone, more than a million children and young people reached out for support to child helplines in Europe, seeking solace, guidance and protection during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives.
Looking at the data on these contacts, which has been collected from child helplines across the European region, Child Helpline International’s new report highlights the needs of these children and young people and amplifies their voices.
As in previous years, mental health remains the leading concern, with children and young people struggling with anxiety, mood disorders and even suicidal thoughts. Violence – especially bullying and emotional abuse – continues to cast a long shadow over the lives of many children and young people. Just as important are the challenges that children and young people are facing in their family and peer relationships, which deeply influence their wellbeing.
These findings are not just statistics—they are a call to action.
Child helplines play a critical role as first responders, offering immediate, compassionate support to children and young people in crisis. However, many of these essential services face resource constraints, limiting their ability to fully meet a growing demand. This report emphasizes the urgent need for increased funding, stronger policy integration and enhanced support systems to ensure that every child or young person can access the help they need.
This important work would not be possible without the efforts of Child Helpline International. By uniting child helplines across Europe and beyond, Child Helpline International ensures that, collectively, we can amplify the voices of children and young people and strengthen the support that is available to them.
By strengthening and supporting child helplines, we can create a safer, more supportive Europe for all children and young people. Child Helpline International’s network in Europe invites policymakers, funders and all partners to reflect on the insights shared here and to take decisive action. Let us work together to ensure that every voice is heard, and that no child or young person faces their challenges alone. Together, we can create meaningful change.
Magnus Jägerskog
Secretary General, Bris
Regional Representative for Europe
Child Helpline International
