About Kids Helpline
Kids Helpline is Australia’s only free (even from a mobile), confidential 24/7 online and phone counselling service for young people aged five to 25.
Since 1991, Australia’s kids and young people have been turning to our professional counsellors, no matter who they are or what they want to talk about.
Over this time, we have responded to 9 million contacts. For some young people, connecting with Kids Helpline has been a life-saving experience, while for others it’s about practical help and emotional support at the critical moment they need someone to listen.
Qualified counsellors at Kids Helpline are available anytime, any reason.
We are a National Safety and Quality Digital Mental Health Standards accredited service provider.
We've been here for 35 years - and a lot has changed in that time
Our communities have changed, the issues kids face have changed, and the ways our counsellors engage with and help young people have changed.
What hasn’t changed is that Kids Helpline makes a difference to the emotional wellbeing and lives of our kids every single day — ensuring young people know they are not alone.
Our five operational principles
Privacy
Contacts are private and confidential.
Respect
All young people are treated with respect.
Representation
All young people can choose the gender of the counsellor they speak to.
Continuity
Young people are able to access the same counsellor if they wish to call back.
Feedback
Young people are encouraged to give feedback about Kids Helpline & the service they receive.
Values and beliefs
The two main values that underpin Kids Helpline practice are empowerment and child-centred practices.
Counselling from an empowerment perspective
Involves supporting and working with young people to:
- Develop options for change
- Understand the consequences of actions
- Help identify their own resources and inform them about other resources available
- Help develop a sense of control in their life
- Utilise their strengths
Providing a child centred practice
Involves supporting and working with young people through:
- Listening to and respecting what the young person has to say
- Focusing on their needs
- Seeing the world from their perspective
- Believing that the young person is the client
- Respecting the young person
Commitment to the care and protection of young people
We seek to ensure that all children, young people and adults at risk are safe from harm, are respected and nurtured so as to reach their full potential in life.
At all times children and young people are supported and encouraged to have their voices heard, to seek justice and to access counselling and other support services in order to overcome the impacts of harm.
Child and youth risk management strategy
Kids Helpline maintains clear policies and procedures to ensure appropriate risk management strategies are in place as part of our commitment to the safety and wellbeing of children and the protection of children from harm.
These include a code of conduct for interacting with children and young people, the recruitment and training of staff and the handling of disclosures or suspicions of harm.
Child & Youth Risk Management Strategy
Safety info for kids
Kids have a right to be safe, healthy and happy!
Safety, care, kindness, love and respect are universal human rights.
This means that they belong to everybody, without conditions. You don’t just deserve these things - you also have a right to them.
Learn more about rights
Learn more about safety and abuse
Our service is for the community, funded by the community.
Kids Helpline is a costly service to run for free
Nearly half of Kids Helpline's funding coming from the community. We can’t do this without you.
Research Partners
Young people’s help seeking behaviour is dynamic and is reflective of the technology and times.
By partnering with leading research organisations we produce evidence to inform and develop services that improve both reach and effectiveness.
Black Dog Institute
We partner with the Black Dog Institute (and Sydney University), to develop and pilot a world first. KHL Circles are online peer to peer support groups (moderated by Kids Helpline counsellors) to assist young people to improve their self-management of mental health concerns.
Queensland University of Technology
We are partnering with QUT on research that will develop new online interactive technologies. Together, we are exploring ways to help young people build relationships, manage mental health and thrive.
University of Sydney
We are partnering with Sydney University (and Black Dog Institute), to develop and pilot a world first. KHL Circles are online peer to peer support groups (moderated by Kids Helpline counsellors) to assist young people to improve their self-management of mental health concerns.
Young and Well Cooperative Research Centre
We are proud to be part of this collective, working with other network partners to develop new online engagement and intervention tools. Together we uncover ways to support young people in strengthening their emotional wellbeing.
Are you curious about why young people contact Kids Helpline?
View our 2024 Impact Report.
