Contacting ChildLine

Life can be tough, especially with exam results and making tough decisions but talking to someone can help. You can get confidential advice and support from ChildLine online or by phone whenever you need to. You can also get advice from other young adults on the ChildLine message boards.

You can talk to us

Transcript

Male: What you doing?

Female: What's the matter?

Female thoughts: Do I want this?

Group: Jeering, laughter

Jeered male in group thoughts: Why is always me?

Girl at Bus stop thoughts: How to I tell my Mum?

Main character thoughts:

Please don't be up
Stay Out
Useless
What the F**K can I do?
Can't take this

Who we help

Thousands of young adults get in contact every day. There’s a lot going on in your life during your late teens, from relationship problems to anxiety about your future. ChildLine isn’t just a service for children; people your own age are already seeking support.

Expert advice

Whether you want to talk about abortion, how to cope if you’ve failed your exams, sexuality, self harm, suicide or problems with friends, we will give you an objective point of view.

ChildLine is a confidential, counselling service of the NSPCC. Our counsellors come from all walks of life and have a broad range of experience themselves. They won’t judge you or put you down and they are not easily shocked by what you tell them. Instead, they will listen and help talk you through your options.

We know it takes a lot of nerve to contact us; you might be worried about
what will happen, who will find out and what you would say?

Nobody needs to know

Only if you wanted us to or if you tell us that your life is in danger, will we ever tell somebody else.

The service is completely confidential –
it won’t show up on your mobile bill. You are completely anonymous and don’t need to tell us your name or your age.

You can also hide your tracks if you’ve visited the website.

We understand where you’re coming from and the situations you might be in - if you want to keep things private, you can.

Feel like your problem isn’t major?

It doesn’t matter. You needn’t have reached rock bottom before you call us. Yes, we help those in serious situations but this is only a small part of what we do. Sometimes, it can just help to get an outsider’s perspective. Even if it is something small, an informal chat with a counsellor can be your first port of call. Asking for help is not a weakness, it takes a lot of guts but it's worth it.

Not just a phone line

There are a number of ways you can receive support through ChildLine, which you can read more about below and see what others have said about them.

To have a 1-2-1 chat with a counsellor, to send an email to ChildLine or to post on the message boards, you will need to sign up to the ChildLine website. Whatever your worry, you don't have to cope with it on your own.

Ways of contacting ChildLine and getting advice

1-2-1 Chat

"They're really helpful when I feel stressed and can calm me down when I'm about to do something stupid"

"It's helped me to make the right decisions and it's someone I can talk to when no one else will listen"

Chat to a ChildLine counsellor online in a 1-2-1 session any time you want.
Find out more about 1-2-1 chat.
ChildLine Email

"When I am upset or tearful I can come and
share my feelings through email"

You can send ChildLine an email about anything, and we'll reply to your personal inbox. Find out more about ChildLine email.
Ask Sam

"Even if you haven't asked Sam a question someone else has. There are many problems on the website and there is bound to be one similar to yours"

Ask Sam whatever you want. Write Sam a message or look at what other people have asked. Find out more about Ask Sam.
Message board

"Everyone helps each other out and is going through the same things as me –it’s a really welcoming place. I don’t feel like I’m the only one anymore"

Have you got something to say, or want to ask a question?
Visit the message board and get support from the ChildLine community.
Call us

"I think that it’s really helpful and really nice to know that you can talk to someone who treats you like you’re the only person in the world that matters"

Call free on 0800 1111. Calls are confidential and won’t appear on the phone bill, including mobiles. Take a look at what somebody has said about their first call.
Explore

"It helped me out alot. It's good to know that someone has the information and can help you"

Sometimes you can sort out a problem on your own.
In the Explore section you'll find info on a whole range of issues.
Play

"I go on it and it relieves my stress”

Take your mind off things for a bit, by visiting the Play section. Watch videos or play games whilst you browse the site or when you’re waiting for a counsellor on 1-2-1 chat.
Express yourself

"I like wall of expression...it lets me express my feelings without feeling stupid about my self."

You can write down what is upsetting or worrying you on the
Wall of Expression, then piece by piece knock the wall down and watch it crumble away. You can also use the Creative tool to write poems, create pictures and express yourself. Take a look at the Creative gallery to see what others have done.
Your Locker

"I’m new to this but so far I do like the locker, it makes me feel more welcome to this site and comfortable"

Your Locker is your own private space. It’s where your ChildLine email is kept. It also allows you to use 1-2-1 chat, track your mood and save any pictures you’ve created in the play section.
Find out more about the Locker.