60,291 children received support in the first half of 2026

Athens, July 9, 2026

PRESS RELEASE

In the first half of 2026, “The Smile of the Child”

supported 60,291 children

handled 101,099 calls on its 6 Help/Hotlines

and 3,780 messages on Chat1056

Among other things,

it supported 491 children (3 children per day) who expressed suicidal thoughts and non-suicidal self-harming behavior

it supported 150 children (1 child per day) who faced serious online risks

received and handled reports of abuse involving 1,835 children (10 children per day)

Also striking was the statement by Diamantis Kararigas, the father of 16-year-old Lydia, who took her own life

With the key message “It’s Not a Given,” “The Smile of the Child” presented its statistical figures for the first half of 2026 at a press conference held at the Panhellenic Coordinating Operational Center for Immediate Social & Medical Intervention “Andreas Yannopoulos,” in the presence of the Organization’s institutional partners, supporters, and volunteers.

During the first six months of 2026, “The Smile of the Child” supported 60,291 children—an average of 333 children per day— while handling 101,099 calls and 3,780 messages through its six 24-hour Hel/Hotlines and Chat1056, which amounts to 559 calls and 21 messages daily.

Of particular concern is the significant increase in incidents related to the mental health of children and adolescents. A total of 491 children received support for incidents of suicidal behavior and non-suicidal self-harm, a number that already accounts for 63% of the corresponding incidents recorded throughout all of 2025. Seventy percent of these cases involved adolescents, and of those, 67% were girls, highlighting the need to strengthen mental health services and ensure timely intervention.

At the same time, 150 children received support regarding serious online risks, such as online sextortion, cyberbullying, online grooming, problematic Internet use, and exposure to inappropriate content. Forty-one percent of the cases involved children aged 13 to 15, while 29% involved adolescents aged 16 to 18.

Reports of abuse also remain particularly alarming. Through the National Helpline for Children SOS 1056 and Cyber Tipline Hellas, the Organization received and handled named and anonymous reports concerning 1,835 children (10 children per day), primarily regarding incidents of physical and sexual abuse, neglect, and abandonment.

At the same time, the Organization continued to invest in prevention and early support for families. Specifically, it supported 9,408 children living in vulnerable families, conducted interactive prevention interventions and educational programs for 38,620 students, and provided preventive medical and dental checkups to 4,825 children throughout the country.

The President of the Organization’s Board of Directors, Costas Yannopoulos, stated:

“We often hear people say, ‘Thank goodness for The Smile of the Child.’ And indeed, we are there, serving as a point of reference for the entire community as well as for government agencies—at any hour of the day or night—for every child at risk. For every family seeking help. But this is not a given. To be able to respond daily to the needs of thousands of children and families throughout Greece, we operate nonstop, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Behind every intervention are knowledgeable and dedicated people, scientific teams, staff, volunteers, vehicles, equipment, and the Organization’s 10 Action Centers, which spring into action immediately, wherever and whenever needed. It may seem self-evident that we will always be there. But it isn’t. Our ability to continue protecting children and standing by every family that needs us exists thanks to the trust and active support of Greek society. Thank you for giving us the strength, and we ask that you continue to support and participate in this effort so that we can make the obvious a reality.

Equally moving was the statement by Diamantis Kararigas, the father of 16-year-old Lydia, who took her own life, and who spoke about the importance and urgent need for education and prevention:

“After losing Lydia, our lives fell apart. I can’t bring my own child back, but I can work with “The Smile of the Child” to organize initiatives to raise awareness among parents, children, and society as a whole. Although I was close to Lydia—our relationship was very close—I didn’t see the signs, signs that, as I’ve since learned, are common among all children who have similar thoughts and behaviors. Neither Lydia nor we, as parents, knew that there were resources and people we could have turned to. I’ve read that the majority of children facing such situations are teenage girls, like my daughter, sensitive children who, at some point, feel despair and believe there is no hope. Unfortunately, this issue remains a taboo; it is kept hidden. If we don’t speak up, if we don’t raise awareness, how will we ever manage to combat the problem? I am seizing this opportunity today to ask everyone to participate and contribute so that we can launch an awareness campaign—first and foremost for children and parents, but also for the school community and society at large—about this very serious and, unfortunately, ever-growing problem.”

Detailed figures:

In the first half of 2026 “The Smile of the Child” …

• provided support to 491 children exhibiting self-destructive and suicidal behavior
• provided support to 150 children who were victims of online dangers
• provided support to 222 children and their 135 mothers, who were victims of domestic violence
• conducted on-site interventions for 126 children in immediate danger
• provided counseling support to 1,195 children
• provided support to 171 children whose cases were brought to its attention by the media
• handled reports of abuse and neglect involving 1,835 children through the National Helpline for Children SOS1056 and Cyber Tipline Hellas
• supported 274 child victims of trafficking
• handled requests for the temporary placement of 32 children
• supported 9,408 children and their families facing serious livelihood challenges
• provided recreational activities for 756 hospitalized children
• supported 692 children with health issues
• provided specialized mental health services to 152 children
• transported 597 children and 925 adults in its ambulances
• provided medical examinations and vaccinations to 153 children at its polyclinics
• provided pediatric home care to 207 children with serious and chronic health problems
• provided preventive medical and dental checkups to 4,824 children
• conducted interactive prevention initiatives and educational programs for 38,620 students
• supported 60 adults who had previously grown up in its Homes
• provided a safe environment and support to the parents of 63 children participating in the Day Care program
• provided a home and a family to 137 children in the Foster Care Homes as well as in semi-independent living apartments
• actively participated in the search for 122 missing children