The Director of LifeLine/ChildLine Namibia, Nicolette Bessinger, has called for stronger collaboration between government, civil society and communities to strengthen psychosocial support and protection services across the country.

Bessinger spoke at the launch of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare's 2025 to 2030 Strategic Plan.

He highlighted that for years, LifeLine/ChildLine Namibia has worked hand in hand with communities, schools and government institutions to promote mental health, counselling and protection services – impacting countless lives through coordinated action.

"LifeLine Child Line Namibia pledges its continued support through operating our national free guidelines, the 116 for children and the 106 for gender-based violence, which operate 24/7 throughout the year. And I'm calling on every one of us. Let us support each other and work on our referral dynamics so that our communities can access free counselling services in contributing to their mental health."

"We believe that every child deserves to grow up in a safe, nurturing environment. Every male and female deserves dignity, opportunity and protection. And every community deserves the tools to heal, to grow and to lead."

Bessinger reaffirmed the organisation's continued commitment to serving Namibians through its free national helplines.

Those are '116' for children and '106' for survivors of gender-based violence.

The office is operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week throughout the year.

She urged partners and community members to strengthen referral systems, ensuring that individuals in need can easily access free counselling services and contribute to the nation's collective mental well-being.