Tracy Adams CEO of Your Town joins specialist journalist Hayley McAdam to discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic impacts children’s wellbeing. Kids Helpline is a service of Your Town. Yourtown is a charity with services young people can access to find jobs, learn skills, become great parents and live safer, happier lives. Since 1961, They have been tackling the issues impacting young people in Australia like mental health and unemployment and taking on issues like family and domestic violence. Aiming to be part of the solution by delivering services that get results, These services include Kids Helpline, training and employment services for young people, parent education and family refuges.
Kids helpline has announced that the duty of care interventions to protect children and young people were 99% higher nationally from the 1st December 2020- 31st May 2021 compared to the same period a year ago. “Since the pandemic Kids Helpline has employed an additional 100 counsellors to assist us in dealing with the increased demand on Kids Helpline counselling service arising from COVID-19, through funding support from the Commonwealth, State Governments and Community,” said Ms Adams.
We know that prevention and early intervention can reduce the impact of mental health issues, so now more than ever we encourage children and young people who want to talk to someone about any issue of concern to them, to contact Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week or use email or web counselling services. www.kidshelpline.com.au