Government urged to back Childline as mental health concerns increase

Monday, 22 January 2018 07:00

Childline counselling sessions about mental health issues peaked at 101,454 last year, as stagnant funding from Government prompts a call to action.

The number of children seeking help from the NSPCC-run service specifically for mental and emotional health, self-harm or suicidal thoughts and feelings rose 12 per cent.

The NSPCC is calling on Government to increase the amount of funding it gives to Childline to help meet this rising demand, to support children 24 hours a day and to help them before they reach crisis point.

Last year Government proposed in its Green Paper the introduction of mental health support for children and young people in schools.

However, two thirds of Childline counselling sessions about mental health issues took place outside school hours (5pm-9am), demonstrating what the charity believes is the additional need for out of hours support.

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