The Helplines & Hotlines operated by "The Smile of the Child" are available to every child, every person in need or at risk
17 May 2024
PRESS RELEASE
Athens, 17 May 2024
The Helplines & Hotlines operated by "The Smile of the Child" are available to every child, every person in need or at risk
17 May: International Child Helpline Day
- 199.805 calls to the 4 Hot/helplines of the Organization
The Helplines & Hotlines operated by "The Smile of the Child" -the National Helpline for Children SOS 1056, the European Hotline for Missing Children 116000, the European Helpline for Children and Adolescents 116111 and the National Hotline for Missing Adults 1017- aim to provide support, to provide meaningful help for every problem, no matter how big or small it may seem, to offer support to every child, every adult in need and/or at risk.
International Child Helpline Day, the 17th of May, is worldwide a particularly important day as it raises awareness among children, and the rest of society, about issues that affect them, demonstrating how important it is to be able to reach out for help. In 2023, the Organization’s four Helplines & Hotlines handled a total of 199.805 calls, 515 calls were made per day to the National Helpline for Children SOS 1056, while 82 calls per day concerned children at immediate risk due to abuse.
On the occasion of the International Child Helpline Day, specialized Psychologists and Social Workers shared stories they have recently managed and how they felt about them.
"We received a call at SOS 1056 from Helen, 12 years old, who reported that she was being physically abused by her father. She was crying and asking us to help her and her mother". Eirini, Social Worker, National Helpline for Children SOS 1056. Watch here: https://youtu.be/n7SWLckeePY?si=Oa9KMr2Iwx_lUsGS
"It is very touching to hear from a 17 year old about his concern for the future and the effort he is making to deal with it". Nicoletta, Psychologist, European Helpline for Children and Adolescents 116111. Watch here: https://youtube.com/shorts/7AcBCfRkEeo?si=aj5R1Nrc762lS7Hn
"What she confided in us with a lot of fear and hesitation was that, at some point, she had tried to harm herself". Konstantina, Psychologist, National Helpline for Children SOS 1056. Watch here: https://youtu.be/D0gMaS3WC9Y?si=haZeMV5anHxmr3DH
Just one call is all it takes to get the help you need.
Just one call is enough to share your anxiety, fear, problem, worry.
"The Smile of the Child", as founding member (2003) of the Child Helpline International (CHI) -in which today involves 156 organizations from all over the world- is always available, free, staffed by Social Workers, Psychologists and Interpreters, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to provide holistic support to every child, and every person in need and/or at risk.
