"Children and parents in migration, including unaccompanied minors, face numerous challenges when arriving in a new country and during the integration process, such as fear of uncertainty, language barriers, discrimination and limited access to education, which can negatively impact their mental health," said Hrabri Telefon, a non-profit organisation that provides assistance and support to children and parents.
The chat service is available every weekday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at tinejdzeri.hrabritelefon.hr.
The project is part of the programme "Supporting protection and integration of children and families in migration in Croatia," implemented by the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration and UNICEF Croatia, with funding from the Swiss Confederation.
Hrabri Telefon highlights that stress and insecurity can lead to anxiety, behavioural changes and feelings of helplessness.
"Being aware of these challenges, and the fact that, despite the efforts of numerous institutions and services, psychosocial support is still not equally available to all children and their families, by expanding the chat counselling service, we are making a concrete contribution to protecting and supporting children in migration, providing them with a space to talk and express their feelings in a language they understand," the organisation said.
Through its free advisory lines for children and parents, Hrabri Telefon responds to more than 3,500 inquiries annually and provides support via email and chat.