Helpline reaches out to kids in distress

Kids Helpline has responded to 1,832 counselling contacts from First Nations children and young people during the first six months of 2026.

 Aboriginal children and young people contacting Kids Helpline were more likely to raise suicide-related concerns and self-harm concerns than other groups.

 Mental health and suicide-related concerns were the main reasons for reaching out for support, with mental health accounting for one in four counselling contacts.

On national Kids Helpline Day (July 24), Kids Helpline wants to raise awareness of the service amongst parents, teachers and the wider community to ensure children are reaching out before they reach crisis point.

Self-harm concerns

Suicide-related concerns were the second most common reason for contact among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people, accounting for almost one quarter of contacts (24 per cent). This was notably higher than for culturally and linguistically diverse children and young people (11 per cent) and young people who did not identify as First Nations or culturally and linguistically diverse (19 per cent).

Self-injury and self-harm concerns were also reported at a higher rate among First Nations children and young people, accounting for 16 per cent of contacts, compared with six per cent for culturally and linguistically diverse children and young people and 11 per cent for those who did not identify as First Nations or culturally and linguistically diverse.

Child abuse was raised more frequently by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people, accounting for 11 per cent of contacts, compared with 10 per cent among culturally and linguistically diverse children and young people and six per cent among other children and young people.

The data highlights the complex and often overlapping challenges being raised by First Nations children and young people when they reach out for support, including mental health, suicide-related distress, self-harm, family relationship issues and child abuse.

Helpline CEO Tracy Adams said Kids Helpline is still increasingly hearing from young people only after situations have escalated into a point of crisis, with top reasons for crisis interventions in 2026 so far being child abuse, suicide attempts, mental illness escalation and self-injury.

“Behind every crisis intervention is a young person in significant distress. We want young people to know they don’t have to wait until they are in crisis to ask for help,” Ms Adams said.

“Young people can’t seek support if they don’t know the service exists. The earlier we can connect those in distress with Kids Helpline, the greater impact we can have in their help-seeking journey.”

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 5 to 25. Qualified counsellors at Kids Helpline are available anytime and for any reason. For over 35 years, children and young people in Australia have been turning to our professional counsellors, no matter who they are or what they want to talk about.

• If you need to speak to a counsellor, call 1800 55 1800 or via webchat at kidshelpline.com.au, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.