In total, Bris had 10,330 supportive contacts with children during the summer, which is an increase of 28 percent compared to the same period last year.
The main reason for the increase is that children have been able to contact Bris via anonymous SMS since September last year. More curators have also been appointed compared to previous years, according to the children's rights organization.
Mental illness is the most common reason for children seeking support, which accounts for 43 percent of the contacts. Conversations about eating disorders increased more than before – 13 percent more compared to 2023.
Criminality is not a common reason for children seeking support from Bris. However, conversations about criminality and gang criminality have increased sharply over the past year.
According to Bris, children are affected by the absence of important adults in their vicinity during the summer. Schools close, leisure activities are paused, and healthcare often reduces its opening hours. A recurring theme is that children feel lonely and need someone to talk to.
"The absence of adults is a risk factor for children who are not doing well or who are not feeling well. A recurring theme in the conversations is loneliness, that children do not know who to turn to or how they can get help. Now that the schools are starting again, we have a great responsibility to catch up with these children," says Magnus Jägerskog, Secretary General of Bris in a press release.
Mental illness is the most common reason for children seeking support. Conversations about eating disorders have increased this year.
Some children describe difficulties with eating disorders returning during the summer, while others talk about difficulties in trying to manage and recover from their eating disorder. The conversations also often revolve around how thoughts and worries about food and body affect the child's well-being and lead to anxiety and worry.
Children who contact Bris about criminality and gang criminality can seek support because friends are involved in criminal networks and want to help, fear of being drawn in themselves, or children who are involved but want to get out.
Criminality is not a common reason for contact, but has increased. In total, there were 127 conversations in 2024. In 2023, the figure was 67.
Source: Bris
Most common reasons for contact:
Mental illness: 43 percent.
Family and family conflicts: 20 percent.
Violence, abuse, and violations: 14 percent.
Number of supportive contacts with children: 10,330.
Children can contact Bris via phone, chat, email, and SMS. SMS statistics are recorded as entire SMS conversations, not individual SMS.
Source: Bris
