Relationship problems and clashes with parents are the main issues troubling teenagers who contact an online counselling website to discuss their problems.
We don’t tell them what to do but help them come up with their own solutions
Lack of self-confidence, insecurity and loneliness are other subjects these young people feel they can speak about through Kellimni.com, according to two volunteers who reply to e-mails sent by teenagers in search of understanding.
“These teens often feel their friends and relatives do not understand them. They come to the website because they know someone will listen to them without making any judgments,” said Rebecca*, a 22-year-old volunteer.
Her friend Elisa*, 23, added: “We’re not only here to listen to really bad news but also to be of support on smaller, everyday things like being tired because of too much homework.”
Kellimni.com is a joint effort between SOS Malta, the Salesians of Don Bosco, Aġenzija Żagħżagħ and Aġenzija Appoġġ, and is aimed at reaching out to children and teenagers.
Ninety-seven per cent of teenagers have access to the internet, exposing its potential as a good channel to offer them support in an easy and practical way.
It is not meant as a crisis helpline but as a channel through which children and teens can talk about what is on their mind.
Volunteers play a vital role in making Kellimni.com a success; however, the service is also driven by psychotherapists and counsellors on board, who offer them support sessions.
The two young women joined the Kellimni.com volunteer team because they had some time to dedicate to helping others. They preferred to remain anonymous to retain an element of confidentiality to keep a certain distance from clients.
“We don’t tell them what to do but help them come up with their own solutions by realising what they are actually feeling,” Rebecca said.
She recalled a case in which a teenager was concerned because her boyfriend was drinking too much. Another young girl felt her parents were not understanding and trusting her.
Some youngsters also spoke about the yearning they had to have better relationships with their parents, the volunteers explained.
Project coordinator James Buhagiar said the service received a few e-mails a week since it was only launched a few months ago. The challenge was now to increase awareness about the site among youngsters.
He added that the site planned to evolve further to include a chat room as well as a forum where children can exchange thoughts and experiences.
“Volunteering is a nice thing to do... apart from helping others, you are learning and making new friends (other volunteers),” Elisa said.
For more information about volunteering call on 2132 4500 or 2124 4123, e-mail info@kellimni.com or visit the website www.kellimni.com.