"The Smile of the Child" Creates an International Alliance for Life with the "LifeLine International Network"

PRESS RELEASE

"The Smile of the Child" Creates an International Alliance for Life with the "LifeLine International Network"

Athens, 18/2/2026

The accession of "The Smile of the Child" to the "LifeLine International Network" constitutes a particularly significant international and institutional development for the strengthening of suicide prevention services and crisis management in Greece.

"LifeLine International" is a global network of organizations that provide suicide prevention services and immediate support to people in crisis. It started in 1963 in Australia as a helpline for individuals experiencing severe psychological difficulties. From 1966 onwards, an informal international cooperation network began to develop, while in 2020 it was officially founded as an international organization headquartered in Sydney.

Today it comprises 39 organizations in 30 countries, with a strong presence in Africa, Asia–Pacific, Latin America, as well as in OECD countries such as the United States and Canada. Northern Ireland has been the only European country participating in the network to date.

The core philosophy of "LifeLine International" is that suicidality constitutes a public health and human support issue.  Its goal is that by 2050, every person, in every country, will have access to support services when experiencing a crisis or suicidal thoughts.

The central tool of each member of the Network is the Helpline — accessible to children, adolescents, and adults — which operates in a complementary manner alongside digital communication channels (chat, online services), prevention initiatives, professional training, and awareness campaigns.

The Network develops its activities along three key pillars:

• Support and empowerment of members (capacity building). It provides expertise, educational tools, and quality standards, ensuring that helplines operate with professionalism and effectiveness.
• Development of services in countries without a Helpline. In 63 countries worldwide, there is still no organized suicide prevention service. "LifeLine International" works toward the creation of national support lines.
• Promotion of the decriminalization of suicidality. In 25 countries, suicide continues to be considered a criminal offense. The network advocates for legislative changes, approaching the issue as a matter of mental health rather than criminal prosecution.

In parallel, "LifeLine International" is active in the formulation of specific policies (policy development), preparing proposals for the prevention of suicidality among young people, the utilization of artificial intelligence in support services, as well as for the responsible handling and approach of issues related to suicidality.

The participation of "The Smile of the Child" in "LifeLine International" means:

• Access to international expertise and best practices
• Enhancement of the quality and operational readiness of the Helplines
• Connection of Greece with a global prevention network related to suicidality
• Strengthening of the strategic planning for the protection of children, adolescents, and adults during periods of crisis

Suicide constitutes a serious global issue.  Every year, approximately 703,000 people lose their lives — that is, one every 40 seconds — while it is the fourth leading cause of death for young people aged 15–29.  Self-harm rates among adolescents are also alarming, with approximately 15–25% having self-harmed at least once.

In Greece, the situation remains critical, with 400–500 deaths every year and thousands of unrecorded attempts. Adolescents face high rates of self-harm, approximately 25%, underscoring the need for awareness, support, and early intervention. Mental health must become a priority for everyone, as every life counts.

Finally, it is important to mention the launch in Greece by "The Smile of the Child" of two new Helplines, the 116016 European Helpline for Domestic Violence and the 116006 European Helpline for Victims of Crime, further strengthening the national network for the protection and immediate support of children and adults in need.

This collaboration does not merely constitute an international recognition. It represents a substantive investment in ensuring that every child, every adolescent, and every adult experiencing a crisis will be able to find immediate, reliable, and scientifically substantiated support — at the moment they need it the most.

View the accession announcement by Ms. Thilini Perera, CEO, “LifeLine International” here.