January 02, 2020
New figures reveal that a significantly increased number of viewers have contacted the BBC Action Line in 2019, with viewers seeking support around mental health, emotional distress, and sexual abuse
During 2019, the BBC Action Line received over 1,039,000 visits or calls to its support information services. This is a significant increase from 2018, where the line received 400,000 uses. Sexual abuse, emotional distress, and mental health-related issues drove the most audience requests.
The BBC Action Line was created to provide information for audiences affected by issues covered in BBC audio and visual programmes. This includes radio dramas, TV series and one-off specials, documentaries, dramas, and awareness campaigns. The BBC additionally runs a number of permanent information lines for some issues including eating disorders, domestic abuse, and mental health.
In addition to supporting members of the public affected by these big issues, the BBC has also taken steps to become more inclusive and supportive of staff. Their ‘Open Up’ awareness campaign earlier this year helped position mental health as a central topic for staff and management alike, while their week filled with Wellbeing Live events in October helped to further drive the conversation.