15/05/2009

Child Helpline International, Kidsline, What's Up, Youthline

MEDIA RELEASE

Connecting Children in New Zealand

An 11 year old girl living in a small country town is caring for her two younger siblings alone. Her parents are apart and she lives with her father, who goes away on business overnight quite often, leaving her to look after herself and the little ones. She calls the child helpline because he has been away for three nights and two days now and she is getting worried.

A 16 year old boy is feeling lonely and hopeless. He never really managed to get in with a group of friends when he moved to secondary school and has been bullied and felt isolated for years. His classmates are all talking about their girlfriends and he would really like to have a relationship too, but can’t believe it will ever be possible for him. His schoolwork is suffering and he is beginning to feel like there is no hope for him ever in his life. He calls the helpline for someone to talk to about it all.

In the ‘global village’ of the 21st century, help for children and young people can be as close as the nearest telephone, computer or postal service. Modern and traditional means of communication are being used by child helplines all over the world to ensure that each and every child is able to contact someone for help.  

May 17 is International Child Helpline Day. Child helplines are an important mechanism to connect to children and young people. They enable the voice of each and every boy and girl to be heard. The global network of child helplines, Child Helpline International, is operating in around 160 countries. During 2008 alone, its members had 11.4 million contacts with children in need via the phone, internet, postal services and working in the community.

The focus of 17 May in New Zealand will be on highlighting the work undertaken by the local members of this network, Kidsline, 0800WHATSUP and Youthline, and their child helpline colleagues all over the world.

Child helplines use modern communication tools such as mobile telephones, email, and text messaging to help children and young people access the information and resources they need. Children are among the most disempowered groups in all societies, least able to get information, support and help when they need it. No child should be left alone. When their needs are ignored or misunderstood by the adults around them, they can reach out to a child helpline for help or advice by simply dialling a number.

Each year, the child helplines in New Zealand between them answer around 200,000 calls from children and young people throughout the country. A small proportion of these callers are already in crisis and many more are at risk. By reaching out to our helplines for support, understanding, information and engagement with other services, these children and young people can avert disaster.

These difficult financial times are putting pressure on families to cope. More than ever, children and young people need the easily accessible, safe and reliable help that our child helplines offer.

ENDS

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