1,200 young people call TeenLine in December
By Mary Dennehy
MORE than 1,200 young people called TeenLine Ireland in December, with loneliness one of the main reasons behind teenagers picking up the phone.
Based in the Dominic’s Shopping Centre in Tallaght, TeenLine is a free-phone, confidential listening service for young people who need to talk.
Geraldine Perry, of TeenLine Ireland, told The Echo: “The numbers are slightly up on last year, with more than 1,200 young people calling TeenLine in December.
“Christmas is a difficult time for teenagers and loneliness at this time of year is a major problem.
“Some of these young people are living in difficult family situations and they feel that they are not going to have a good Christmas.”
She added: “Some of these young people just want to chat, speaking with one of our volunteers might be the only conversations they have.
“A lot of our callers love to have a normal chat about music, bands or TV, they like that they don’t have to go through their problems all of the time.”
TeenLine was established by Tallaght mother Maureen Bolger in 2003 following the loss of her son Darren to suicide.
Maureen saw the need for a confidential service to help teenagers and young adults who may feel isolated, troubled or lonely.
The listening service is currently open from 8pm to 11pm, Monday to Fridays.
However, TeenLine is engaging in a volunteer recruitment drive this February 3, which the service hopes will help to re-open the phone line over the weekend.
“Community fundraising is keeping the charity going,” Geraldine said.
“We’d like to say thanks to the Tallaght community, which has been very supportive of our recent collections.
“This support and the recruitment of new volunteers will help us to expand services.”
She added: “It is so important to have a listening service for teenagers.
“We are non-judgemental, confidential and non-directive and teenagers like that there is somebody there to just listen.
“We are working to get the TeenLine name out there and promote it in a positive way – we want teenagers to know that we are here to help.”
For further information call the TeenLine office on 4622122 or visit www.teenline.ie.
Any young person who would like to speak with someone is encouraged to call the TeenLine Freephone number 1800 833 634 between 8pm and 11pm, Monday to Sunday.
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