Michaela Meade
A rising number of Victorian calls to Kids Helpline resulted in counsellors making contact with police, child safety or ambulance services between December 1, 2020 and May 31, 2021, new data reveals.
Yourtown service Kids Helpline recently reported that duty of care interventions – in which a child is deemed to be at imminent risk – had risen by 184 per cent in Victoria compared to the same period 12 months earlier.
Yourtown chief executive Tracy Adams said the organisation had “feared an increase” in child vulnerability as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns.
She said 75 per cent of emergency interventions in Victoria were for young people aged 13-18.
“The current spike in emergency interventions on behalf of children and young people in Victoria is very disturbing,” she said.
“For those children and young people aged between five and 25 years of age, 44 per cent of emergency interventions over the past six months in Victoria have been in response to an immediate intent to enact suicide.”
Nationally, duty of care interventions rose by 99 per cent between December 1, 2020 to May 31, 2021 compared to the same period a year ago.
According to Yourtown, the surge was largely related to suicide attempts and child abuse, which increased 38 per cent and 35 per cent respectively.
Ms Adams said that while it is “very clear” the pandemic has taken a toll on children and young people’s lives, there has been help available to those who seek it out.
“Thankfully by young people seeking help, Kids Helpline has supported 862 suicide prevention interventions nationally in the past six months,” she said.
“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.”
Any children or young people who want to talk to someone about any issue can contact Kids Helpline 24/7 on 1800 551 800.
Web counselling services are also available: www.kidshelpline.com.au
