Children Helpline (CH) 116111 was established on February 1, 2006 with the aim to provide psychological support to children and teenagers who are in difficult situations. This goal – to hear out children and teenagers, teach them to talk about themselves and trust others – is still the most important work of the CH.
CH is one of the structural units of the State Inspectorate for Protection of Children’s rights because it is every child’s right to get advice on how to act in a crisis situation and receive support when a child is having issues and emotional difficulties. In the very beginning the goal of the more than 10 CH working psychologists was to gain the children’s trust. The amount of received calls clearly shows that we are on our way to reach this goal - during the first working year until February 1, 2007 CH received more than 309 000 calls.
Every day CH receives many calls from children who need help or simply want to have a talk. In last couple of years there has been an increase in calls received from parents, grandparents and legal guardians regarding children. Psychologists who work at CH have trained skills to talk with different people about all sorts of issues, amongst which the most common are relationship with peers, parents and other family members, etc. However, CH consultants often have to advise and help in more difficult, complex situations, for example - what to do in a case if a child is planning to leave home, but his little sister stays at home and she is not capable of taking care of herself.
Children and teenagers can call CH around the clock, 24/7. CH is free of charge from fixed lines and mobile phones. It is possible to contact CH consultants via chat (works on workdays from 12:00-20:00n – find chat window on app “Uzticības tālrunis” or g on www.uzticibastalrunis.lv ) or email (uzticibaspasts116111@bti.gov.lv). CH has an app “Uzticības tālrunis” (available for IOS and Android devices, free of charge). More information about CH is available on: www.uzticibastalrunis.lv
Frequently Asked Questions by children and youngsters:
What to do if….
- ... parents are arguing, often hit each other. Is it because of me?
- ... one of family members screams at me all the time. What should i do?
- ... parents are getting divorced. Is it my fault?
- ... one of family members drinks or uses drugs or gambles. Can someone help our family?
- ... my parent went to other country for work and i’m left all alone. What should i do?
- ... not sure if i like boys or girls. I just need some support, can you listen to my story?
- ... my boyfriend or girlfriend is breaking up with me! Am I not good enough?
- ... my boyfriend (girlfriend), one of a family members, peer in school or a stranger harasses me. Who can i turn to?
- ... I have been sexually abused. Can you help me?
- ... had a huge argument with one of my closest friends. What should i do?
- ... can you tell me more about sexual hygiene and how to avoid pregnancy?
- ... i think i might be pregnant. What to do?
- ... i think i am so ugly. How can i learn to see something good in myself?
- ... have been, bullied, humiliated, ridiculed, pushed or hit in school or elsewhere. What can i do to make it stop?
- ... i am feeling lonely and bored. What should i do?
Each month Children Helpline 116111 receives call from hundreds of children and teenagers and each of them has his/her own question. It is completely ok, if Your question is different from those listed above, because every situation and emotions differ. Even if You found an answer to Your question, we encourage you to call and talk about things that upset or worry you.
If You would like to talk to someone You can call Toll Free Children’s Helpline 116111 and start a conversation with our consultants - psychologists.