Youth Helpline - a counseling service for adolescents and young people, increases its outreach

The Youth Helpline started in 2001, with the aim to provide adolescents and young people, the space and opportunity to share their concerns and feelings and take information regarding issues related to sexual and reproductive health, in an environment that is nonjudgmental. Till December 2008, it had received 28,471 counseling calls. Up till now the Youth Help line's toll free number 0800 22444 could have been accessed only from PTCL landline numbers with area codes of 05 and 09 that cover entire NWFP, northern areas and parts of Punjab. Owing to the increasing demand of young people (many of our callers call us from other areas as well via mobiles on our other landlines) as well as partner NGOs working with young people all over the country, to access this facility, the Help line's outreach has been increased. Now young people dialing from PTCL landlines from any where in Pakistan can access the Help line's number 0800 22444 free of cost, whereas young people using mobiles will have to pay the regular landline charges. Youth Help Line's service is available seven days a week from 10.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. Here trained psychologists provide counseling and information on a range of issues such as lack of self confidence, peer pressure, inability to deal with family dynamics and relationships, inability to cope with anger, information about sexual and reproductive health, bullying, child sexual abuse, sexual and physical violence etc. in complete confidentiality. Youth Help Line provides adolescents and youth with an opportunity to gain information on social, psychological, and bodily changes they are experiencing and the ways to cope with them, to share their worries concerns and be acknowledged as a person, to receive impartial support and to be treated equally and fairly in an environment that accepts them for who they are.