NSPCC Cymru: 60% of Welsh Childline Calls Last Year About Mental Health
Sixty percent of all counselling sessions provided by Childline to young people in Wales last year were focused on mental health concerns, according to new figures from NSPCC Cymru.
Between April 2023 and March 2024, the helpline delivered 5,545 counselling sessions to children in Wales, with 3,342 of these addressing mental and emotional wellbeing.
This data comes as the charity marks World Mental Health Day, highlighting the challenges young people face in dealing with mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and loneliness. Across the UK, Childline conducted 99,179 counselling sessions related to mental health, averaging 272 sessions per day.
Anxiety, Stress, and Loneliness Top Concerns
When discussing their mental health, Welsh children frequently mentioned feelings of anxiety, stress, low mood, and isolation.
One 16-year-old girl from Wales who contacted Childline shared, “I’m convinced that the world hates me, like no one cares about me. I tried telling a friend how I felt, but they only wanted to talk about their own problems; I felt even worse after that. Thank you for letting me talk.”
Shaun Friel, Director of Childline, stressed the importance of ensuring young people know where they can seek help: “At Childline, we know that growing up brings many challenges that can affect mental health. It’s essential that young people have access to support and the resources they need to manage their emotions, whether they’re feeling anxious, lonely, or depressed.”
NSPCC Cymru’s Call for Action
NSPCC Cymru is urging the Welsh Government to ensure that children and their families have access to appropriate mental health services within their local areas, to avoid waiting until young people reach a crisis point.
The charity is also calling for more investment in parent-infant relationship services to support babies and young children who have experienced trauma or abuse.
Creative Outlets and Community Support
For many young people, Childline’s support goes beyond conversations.
The service offers various online tools such as the “Art Box,” which allows children to express their emotions through writing or drawing, and the “Calm Zone,” a section of the website with activities and techniques designed to help young people manage stress.
A 10-year-old who contacted Childline shared how art helped them cope: “My little sister is in hospital a lot; it makes me worry and I get upset about it. I have found drawing and colouring helps, I enjoy that, especially butterflies and nature.”
Support from Lidl and Crayola
In support of Childline’s mission, Lidl GB has partnered with Crayola to launch the Crayola Cosmic Creations and Fantastic Fantasy Activity Tubes, designed to help children express their feelings through creative outlets.
£1 from every activity tube sold will be donated to Childline, with the aim of raising funds and spreading awareness about the helpline’s services.
Charlie Day, CSR Team Manager at Lidl GB, said: “We’re delighted to sell activity tubes that not only provide children with a calming activity but also raise vital funds for Childline. Mental health is a key issue for our colleagues and customers, and we’re committed to doing what we can to support young people.”
Young people can contact Childline for free, confidential support by calling 0800 1111 or visiting the website for 1-2-1 chat at www.childline.org.uk.
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