The 116111 Child and Adolescent Helpline Campaign “I Am Raising a Child Alone!” Will Begin

For the fourth consecutive year, the Child and Adolescent Helpline 116111 of the State Inspectorate for the Protection of Children’s Rights (VBTAI) (hereinafter – the Helpline) is organising the “I Am Raising a Child Alone!” campaign. This year, it will take place from 10 to 16 May.

The Helpline invites any parent, guardian, adoptive parent or foster parent who provides childcare alone on a daily basis and encounters various difficulties to receive psychological assistance with issues concerning children.

“The intensive period of COVID-19 in 2020 highlighted an acute need for parents to receive support on various issues related to children – to discuss building a relationship with the child, changes in the child’s emotional state, a lack of motivation to study, changes in behaviour, conflict resolution, discipline and other matters. The number of consultations provided specifically to parents increased by 10% over the year and remains high. The Helpline’s experience to date shows that conversations with parents are usually emotionally intense, as parents experience anxiety, helplessness, confusion and anger when talking about what has happened,” says Amanda Vēja, Director of the Department for Supporting Families with Children at VBTAI.

Specialists who handle calls on a daily basis conclude that not all parents who care for their children alone have access to a support system; they feel lonely and sometimes have the sense that they have to cope with everything on their own. Therefore, it is especially important to receive psychological assistance in a timely manner when dealing with everyday difficulties. As part of this campaign, parents themselves have the opportunity to receive not only professional psychological support free of charge, but also informational assistance in resolving a specific situation.

The 116111 Helpline is free of charge and anonymous and operates 24 hours a day. On weekdays from 12:00 to 20:00, it is also possible to contact Helpline specialists via online consultations (hereinafter – chat); the chat window can be found at www.uzticibastalrunis.lv, or assistance can be requested by email at uzticibaspasts116111@bti.gov.lv. Everyone can also use the “Helpline” mobile application to choose the type of assistance they need.

Author:

lm.gov.lv