Among the many challenges people face today—beyond financial difficulties, a lack of free time, and daily stress, there is also the issue of managing relationships within the family. With 6 divorces recorded every day in Cyprus, according to data from the Statistical Service, and with frequent incidents of violence and intimidation coming to light, the number of children and adults in need of specialized support and assistance appears to be rising dramatically.
We know that psychological and physical abuse can have serious consequences for children’s development and their future success and happiness, both as adults and as parents. Unfortunately, the cycle of violence seems to be passed down from generation to generation, and children who are victims of bullying, whether at home or at school, may themselves become perpetrators later on or develop serious psychosocial problems, which can even lead to suicide.
Breaking the cycle of violence and restoring healthy family relationships requires the intervention of mental health professionals. However, when a family’s income is not even enough to cover basic needs, it is very difficult for parents to pay for professional help, so that they—and their children—can break free from the cycle of abuse and intimidation.
The international and independent humanitarian organization Hope For Children CRC Policy Center, which upholds the principles and values of the Convention on the Rights of the Child through the programs and initiatives it implements, operates the 1466 Helpline with the financial support of the XM Group. The 24-hour Helpline is staffed by experienced psychologists, social workers, and legal advisors, who respond confidentially and effectively to incidents of violence, abuse, bullying, anxiety, or suicidal tendencies. The team of specialists has access to the relevant government authorities and services and can provide immediate support and intervention when deemed necessary.
Psychological support for the child and family continues afterward through free sessions with psychologists, if desired. These support and therapeutic services are intended for children facing serious challenges in their lives, who have difficulty adjusting after a divorce and being removed from their home, following the death of a loved one, when they experience domestic violence or neglect, when they are victims or perpetrators of school bullying, or when they suffer from anxiety or struggle with eating disorders.
The approach taken is child-centered, guided by the best interests of the child, and taking into account the social and legal aspects of each case through a holistic approach and interdisciplinary management. The sessions are offered free of charge to both the children and the entire family, through a systemic approach that aims to simultaneously strengthen parents’ skills in relation to their parental role.
With the establishment of the XM Group’s Child and Family Counseling Center in the specially designed spaces of a listed building in Nicosia—which is being restored with a grant from the Group— the professional staff of the Hope For Children Organization will continue to provide free psychosocial and legal support services to children, youth, and families in an ideal environment. Up to 500 children and their families will be able to benefit each year from these free mental health, psychosocial, and legal support services.
So simply, by starting with a phone call to 1466, you can initiate a free process of psychological support and empowerment for a child and a family who may be in a very difficult situation, but don’t know where to turn for help.
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