Supporting children and young people

Talk with children and young people

It’s important to talk with a child or young person experiencing change. Try to keep communication as open as you can. Remember to listen – don’t feel you have to fix how they’re feeling. It’s natural for children and young people to feel angry, happy, sad, relieved, and/or confused. By listening, you can help to validate how the child or young person is feeling, and to help them feel understood.

When you talk to a child or young person, you may want to:

• reassure them that you love them
• tell them it isn’t their fault
• answer their questions as simply as you can
• listen to what they want.

Creating a safe environment for the child or young person to talk

You should try to create an environment where the child or young person feels comfortable and safe to talk about how they feel.

You may find it helpful to:

• find times to talk to the child without distractions
• ask them if they have questions about what's happening and how they feel
• listen to them and don’t interrupt them while they're talking.

Free helplines for children and young people

Sometimes children and young people find it easier to talk to someone they may not know. There are services that have trained counsellors that you can refer children and young people too if they are struggling.

What’s Up

What’s Up have trained counsellors that can provide support on a range of topics.

What’s Up(external link)

Freephone: 0800 942 8787

Youthline

Youthline offers a free helpline and other support services to young people (aged 12-24). They can work with young people on a range of topics.

Youthline(external link)

Freephone: 0800 376 633

Text: 234

Youth Law Aotearoa

Youth Law offers free legal advice for children and young people and has information about their rights in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Youth Law Aotearoa(external link)

Freephone: 0800 884 529