National Helpline 116 111: Over 13,500 children sought support in 2026

Over 13,500 calls to the National Helpline 116 111 in six months

The National Helpline for Children 116 111 of the State Agency for Child Protection (SACP) is strengthening its role as a key source of support. Between January 1 and June 30, 2026, 13,500 calls were registered, of which over 9,700 were consultations.

"Children need to be heard. In our busy daily lives, we sometimes forget that things which seem insignificant to us are extremely important to a child," says Dr. Teodora Ivanova, Chair of the SACP.

Main topics and issues

• Need for communication: Children most often seek the helpline for advice regarding peer relationships, family relations, and emotional anxiety.
• Risk alerts: Nearly 1,100 alerts regarding children at risk were registered, mainly due to concerns about psychological abuse, neglect, or risks to psychosocial development.

Online chat – preferred by teenagers

The chat application linked to the helpline recorded 1,100 online consultations. Children use it actively to share sensitive topics such as depression, panic attacks, eating disorders, and thoughts of self-harm. The chat is available every day from 08:00 to 20:00 through the official 116 111 website.

For comparison, in the past year 2025, the total number of calls exceeded 25,000, which shows the growing trust of the public in the institution.