Working Together So That Nobody Faces a Crisis Alone
Every minute, every day, somewhere in the world, someone reaches out for help. Sometimes it is an adult experiencing emotional distress or suicidal crisis. Sometimes it is a child seeking safety, support or simply someone who will listen. Different helplines answer those calls. Different organizations support those services. But behind them lies a shared belief: […]
The Livingstone Declaration – One Year On
It’s exactly one year ago that the 11th International Consultation of Child Helplines, held in Livingstone, Zambia, concluded with the signing of “The Livingstone Declaration”. Building upon commitments, pledges and undertakings outlined in previous International and Regional Consultations, it was a statement by our child helpline members of their commitments towards strengthening and expanding child […]
Recommendations for the Improvement of Mental Health of children and young people across Europe
Data from European child helplines
Across Europe, mental health is the leading reason why children and young people contact child helplines. Between 2020 and 2024, child helplines received 2.9 million mental-health-related contacts (39% of all counselling contacts), including more than 1 million linked to fear, anxiety or mood problems, and nearly 700,000 involving self-harm or suicidal thoughts. In 2024 alone, […]
World Suicide Prevention Day 2025 – Change the Narrative
Too many young lives are lost to suicide, and it’s getting worse! Youth suicide rates are increasing in North America, Central and Southern America, Asia and Oceania (1). In Europe, youth suicide rates have declined in some, but not all, countries. Suicide is now the third leading cause of death for people aged 15-29 years […]
Mental Health, Violence, Relationships: Key Insights from 2023 European Child Helpline Data
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 […]
Amplifying the Voices of Children & Young People in Europe
Key Insights from 2023 Child Helpline Data on Mental Health and Violence
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 […]
The Role of Child Helplines in Promoting Children & Young People’s Mental Health Across Europe
29 October 2024 marks 17 years since 116 111 became the harmonized child helpline number across the European Union, expanding over time to 30 European countries. 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 […]
Supporting Children & Young People’s Mental Health in Europe
Mental health concerns are a major reason why children and young people contact child helplines in Europe. This report presents mental health-related contacts to 30 child helplines across Europe from 2019 to 2022. Child helplines are heavily involved in the prevention, promotion and protection of children’s mental health, through direct counselling, referrals, online campaigns, workshops […]
Shaping a Future with Children at the Centre
How the UN's "Summit of the Future" Unlocks Opportunities for Child Helplines
The United Nations’ recent “Summit of the Future” marked a significant milestone in global governance, policy frameworks and strategies. Its final report emphasizes a forward-looking agenda that places children and young people at the heart of shaping the future. This forward-thinking vision has exciting implications and possibilities for child protection and responsive services, particularly for […]
World Mental Health Day 2024
Mental health is a state of mental wellbeing that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community. Our mental health is determined by a range of individual, social, economic, geopolitical and environmental factors, including emotional skills, substance use, genetics, socioeconomic status, […]