NSPCC: Rise in children seeking help from Childline for anger

Childline has delivered almost 3,000 counselling sessions to children struggling with anger over the past year, according to new figures released during Mental Health Awareness Week.

The total represents a 6% increase from the previous year and reflects a growing number of young people across the UK facing challenges with emotional regulation.

Anger has now become one of the top ten mental health issues discussed by children and young people contacting Childline, which is run by the NSPCC.

The charity says the rise suggests increasing emotional strain among children caused by pressures at home, school, online, and in their communities.

A secondary school-aged boy in Wales told a Childline counsellor, “My friend massively embarrassed me in front of this girl I like. I’m so angry about it, all I want to do is hit him even though I know that’s not the best way to deal with it. I need someone to talk me out of it or take this anger away.”

A 14-year-old girl from Wales said, “When I get really mad, I throw things, break things, shout, swear. I scare myself honestly but it’s so hard to find things that actually work to calm me down. Childline helps, but only when I haven’t broken my phone in anger.”

Counselling sessions have revealed recurring themes. Children are reporting difficulties in regulating emotions, often following disagreements with parents or peers.

Others have shared feelings of self-directed anger and harsh internal criticism.

A 9-year-old girl confided, “I feel so angry all the time, shouting is just how I express myself. When my parents shout at me, I shout back. They tell me to talk in arguments and tell people how I feel but no one cares, no one listens unless I shout.”

Shaun Friel, Director of Childline, said: “The fact that children are reaching out for help about their anger issues reflects the growing emotional challenges young people face in today’s complex world. At Childline, we’re seeing firsthand how pressures at home, school, online and in communities are affecting children’s ability to manage and deal with difficult emotions.”

He added that the charity is encouraging children to learn to express their feelings in healthy ways and to use Childline’s support services to develop coping strategies.

To support this, Childline has partnered with children’s mental health charity Place2Be to offer practical advice to young people and parents. Their joint message focuses on communication, emotional expression, and recognising signs of distress early.

Dr Rebecca Kirkbride, Clinical Director at Place2Be, said: “The rise in children seeking support for issues related to anger, as highlighted by Childline’s data, demonstrates the importance of early intervention and teaching children healthy ways to process emotions. By creating safe spaces where young people feel heard and validated, we can help them develop the emotional vocabulary and self-regulation skills needed to navigate complex feelings.”

Children and young people can contact Childline at 0800 1111 or visit childline.org.uk for confidential support.

Adults concerned about a child’s wellbeing can reach the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 or email [email protected].