Spring Community Newsletter 2008
We now provide a range of portals support, information, referral and counselling.
In 2008 Youthline’s helpline remains the backbone of our organisation, while the telephone and increasingly text a key way for young people to access help when they would not otherwise do so.
A Youthline Schools survey in 2005 showed that many young people would not access support due to embarrassment, not wanting to make a fuss of fear of confidentiality being breached. A youth helpline and text support overcomes many of these obstacles, allowing young people to feel in control of the communication.
Helplines are not stand-alone interventions, but the front door to a range of specialist services. They are a first point of contact for people, proving immediate support, information and referrals.
With today’s focus on youth issues, it is essential that we are able to reach young people before they hit crisis point and recently government has begun to recognise the importance of early intervention.
Despite this, there is currently no recognition of the vital role helplines play in early intervention and this is reflected in the lack of funding for our core business.
Helplines identify issues early and effectively deal them before they reach statutory agencies. This is more cost effective than dealing with people in the health and justice systems further down the track.
This election year Youthline will be lobbying politicians to recognise the fact that helplines provide an easily accessible and indispensable source of support for New Zealanders, and need to be funded as a critical part of any early intervention initiative for young people. We hope to continue to be available whenever, wherever and however young people need us.
Take Care
Stephen Bell
Youthline CEO