Understanding help seeking

The inaugural Kids Helpline Symposium 2016: Help Seeking by children and young people - Past, Present & Future is taking place at the Human Rights Commission in Sydney today.

HELPING YESTERDAY, TODAY & TOMORROW

This landmark event not only celebrates 25 years of the national Kids Helpline service, but brings together renowned keynote speakers and a panel of experts hosted by National Commissioner for Children, Megan Mitchell.

Keynote speakers are our own Tracy Adams, CEO yourtown/Kids Helpline and international futurist Dr Peter Ellyard.

Tracy will talk about how Kids Helpline (KHL) has adapted its responses to help seeking needs of children and young people over 25 years, including the impact of new technologies. Dr Ellyard will discuss how help seeking will change and further evolve to keep pace with societal needs. Panel members include representatives from Blackdog, Optus and Kids Helpline.

Today’s symposium is about bringing people together for the benefit and wellbeing of children and young people across Australia.

“We’ll talk about what we’ve learnt, what we’ve built and how we’ve adapted to meet the needs of children and young people,” Tracy Adams, CEO yourtown/Kids Helpline

“Most importantly we will combine the wealth of experience of those here today to talk about where we go next both in service delivery and in national policy agendas to ensure we continue to be there when children and young people need us most.”

National Children’s Commissioner, Megan Mitchell said it was an honour to host the symposium.

“Kids Helpline makes it easy and okay for children and young people to seek help when they need it. This vital, confidential service for kids is available anytime of the day or night and has no doubt saved the lives of many children and young people over the years,” Megan Mitchell, National Children’s Commissioner

Over 25 years KHL has responded to more than 7.5 million contacts from children and young people and played a critical role in areas like child protection and mental health.

In 2015, there were more than 350,000 attempts to contact the KHL counselling service with just over 200,000 answered. KHL is Australia’s only national 24/7 counselling service specifically for children and young people aged 5 to 25 years – free call 1800 55 1800 or kidshelpline.com.au. It's a service of yourtown (formerly BoysTown) and is 72% funded by the yourtown Art Union, donations and corporate support. Kids Helpline @ School Digital is supported by Optus.

You can help us…

We’re a community funded organisation and need your help to keep growing our support and services for kids and young people. At yourtown we're taking on the challenges young people face including Mental Health, Unemployment, Family and Domestic Violence. Donations are tax deductible and every dollar counts. With your help, we can continue to be part of the solution. Make a donation today. Get the latest news and updates on our Facebook page.

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