Swiss perspectives in 10 languages

Switzerland sees rise in suicidal thoughts among youngsters

Child cowers under bedclothes
Pro Juventute says the mental wellbeing of children and youths is being neglected. Keystone / Christof Schuerpf

Swiss child and youth support agency Pro Juventute has received 40% more calls from young people with suicidal thoughts during the pandemic.

The non-profit foundation speaks to around 700 children and youths every day, which is far more than during the first year of Covid-19, it announced on Monday.

Around 1% of these calls (some seven per day) concern youngsters who have had thought of suicide whilst others have self-harmed in some form.

Almost half of the people contacting Pro Juventute say they have experienced sexual harassment online.

Not all the problems can be attributed to the pandemic. Another important theme of consultations (23%) concerns career choices, with many youngsters complaining of “excessive demands and stress”.

“The problems that are now visible are not only a direct consequence of the corona pandemic, but of years of neglect in the area of ​​mental health of children and adolescents – despite many warning signs,” the foundation statedExternal link. “It is time to take the problems of future generations seriously and invest more resources in dealing with them.”

It has called for more funds to support its 147.ch advice service.

More than 300,000 children and young people and almost 140,000 parents in Switzerland benefit from Pro Juventute’s services every year.

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

News

Zora del Buono

More

Zora del Buono wins Swiss Book Prize

This content was published on The 17th Swiss Book Prize has been awarded to Zora del Buono for her research novel Seinetwegen (For his sake).

Read more: Zora del Buono wins Swiss Book Prize
Cantons have killed 39 wolves so far this fall

More

Swiss cantons have killed 39 wolves so far this autumn

This content was published on In mid-November, 35 packs of three or more wolves were detected in Switzerland. At least eight of them may be eliminated during the current hunting season. So far, at least 39 wolves have been shot in Graubünden, Valais, Vaud and St. Gallen.

Read more: Swiss cantons have killed 39 wolves so far this autumn
People queue up in Kilchberg ZH for Dubai chocolate

More

Chocoholics queue for Dubai chocolate in Zurich

This content was published on The "Dubai chocolate" has also caused a rush in Switzerland: queues formed outside the Lindt chocolate factory in Kilchberg, canton Zurich, on Saturday morning.

Read more: Chocoholics queue for Dubai chocolate in Zurich
Shooting stars of the Leonid stream in the Swiss night sky

More

Leonid meteor shower to cross Swiss night sky

This content was published on Stargazers currently have the chance to spot shooting stars in the night sky. Until November 30, the Leonid meteor shower is lighting up the darkness.

Read more: Leonid meteor shower to cross Swiss night sky
224 Swiss companies with CO2 reduction targets

More

Climate: 224 Swiss companies announce CO2 reduction targets

This content was published on A total of 224 companies from Switzerland have joined the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), committing to CO2 reduction targets that are in line with the Paris Climate Agreement.

Read more: Climate: 224 Swiss companies announce CO2 reduction targets

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!

If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR