The following is a news story from Hafal’s Big Lottery-funded Young People’s Information Hub. To access the Hub please visit: http://www.hafal.org/hafal/yp_index.php
ChildLine, the 24 hour counselling service, has revealed that calls from children and young people about mental health issues increased dramatically over the Christmas period.
Figures show that:
• “Calls on depression and mental health-related matters increased by 103% during Christmas 2011 (compared to Christmas 2010).”
• “Calls regarding self-harm and suicide increased by 62% and 57% respectively.”
ChildLine President Esther Rantzen, said: “These figures clearly demonstrate how many distressed children depend on ChildLine, especially at times such as Christmas which is often particularly difficult for vulnerable young people.
“ChildLine is a vital life line for thousands of young people who desperately need support and advice on suicidal thoughts, self-harm, sexual abuse and mental illness.”
To visit the ChildLine website, which has a mental health messageboard, please visit: http://www.childline.org.uk/Pages/Home.aspx