Subjects become heavier at De Kindertelefoon: ‘Big difference with first lockdown’

Outliers in this area are loneliness and suicide: between 14 December last year and 10 January this year, almost a third more were contacted about this than in the spring.

Julia de Vreede is a volunteer at De Kindertelefoon in Rotterdam and has also noticed that the topics are changing. “Normally with children between 8 and 18 years old it is about love, homework or something funny and sometimes the subjects are heavier. During the first lockdown this did not change so much. Then they were asked how to date during corona, for example.”

Lately, therefore, there has been a noticeable change. “More difficult situations are discussed. Such as divorces and losing people, but also more children who have an addiction or depression,” says De Vreede. According to her, closed schools are the main cause, the place that often feels like a safe environment. In case of violent subjects, she can put callers through to 113 for suicidal thoughts or Safe Home in case of violence.

Frustration and boredom

Last week, young people were involved in riots and a 14-year-old suspect was arrested for the fire in Plaswijckpark. De Vreede himself has not had any children on the phone who intend to use violence this week. “But I do notice a lot of the underlying feeling. The frustration and boredom builds up due to corona.”

As a volunteer, De Vreede tries to offer a listening ear and help children where possible. She herself is most affected by loneliness. “Sometimes someone calls who is still home alone at 9:00 pm and hasn’t had any food. Even during curfew.”

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