The counselling and help services offered are as varied as the problems of today's children and young people. It is important to inform the children about the offers.

There are many possible contact points for children and young people to get help. The first instance is presumably the parent or guardian, i.e. usually the parents. But if, for whatever reason, the children do not want to turn to them with their problem, there are many other people who can also help them.

There are social pedagogues and social workers whose task it is to provide advice and support in difficult situations. This serves to prevent and solve problems in the social field. Children and young people often come into contact with social workers in so-called youth centres. But they can also, for example, be counsellors in public institutions such as the youth welfare office.

Private tutors can help children who have problems at school because they do not succeed in learning.

In most schools there is a counsellor who can be trusted with personal or family problems. A pupil can also turn to him in the event of unfair treatment or assessment.

The telephone chaplaincy especially for children is set up from Monday to Saturday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. and can be reached at 116111 (number for grief). It is for children and adolescents who feel alone with a problem and want advice or just someone who listens.
The principles of telephone counseling are:

•   Anonymity
• Non-disclosure
•   Reachability
•   competence
• Open-mindedness
•   Exemption from chargesThe pastoral care by telephone is now also available as chat or in the form of email consultation.

The police help when there are problems with the law. For example, when children are hurt.

A doctor helps with all health problems and also when it comes to counseling. For example, a question frequently asked by young people is: How can I use contraception correctly?

So there is enough help available. It is important that children and adolescents know about the possibilities where they can get help if necessary.