YOUTHLINE RUNNING HOT

Youthline received 324 contacts from young people in crisis over the Christmas period, 26 of whom we helped to engage with emergency services. In 2018, we supported 41,000 young people.

I am constantly saddened by the country’s youth suicide statistics. Almost half of all contacts over our helpline relate to mental health. Since 2015, contacts relating to suicide have gone from one in nine to one in six.

The Government is considering its response to the Mental Health and Addiction Inquiry. It is fundamental that better resourcing of community helplines be part of its response.

The total cost of our helpline service is $850,000 a year. Sixty-one percent of the work done last year was by trained volunteers. The Government covers $89,000 of the total cost.

The reality is some people won’t get through to a helpline counsellor the first time

they try. A modest funding increase would ensure that we can reach the young people out there who feel as if no one else will listen. Shae Ronald Chief executive Youthline Auckland Charitable Trust