The vast majority of young New Zealanders are reaching out for support through text messages. Photo / Thinkstock
The vast majority of young New Zealanders reaching out for support from Youthline are doing so through text messages.
The youth helpline received 80,085 contacts from young New Zealanders in the past year, with 91 per cent of those coming through text messages.
Text messaging was the easiest way for
young people to reach out for help Youthline chief executive Stephen Bell said.
Youthline conducted a survey on the issues young people face and found the five biggest issues facing young people today are alcohol, drugs, bullying, peer pressure and self-esteem.
Youthline compared the survey with the same conducted 14 years ago and found comparatively fewer young people are now smoking cigarettes, binge drinking, trying marijuana and engaging in risk-taking behaviour.
