Kids as young as 10 are now considering suicide as calls to Childline doubles in five years
Young girls are SIX TIMES more likely to feel suicidal than boys, shock report reveals
THE number of children who have called Childline about suicidal thoughts has doubled in the past five years, according to the charity.
Domestic abuse, social media, bullying and mental health issues were among the contributors in the 19,481 (more than 50 a day) counselling sessions held by the charity in 2015/16.
Some of those who contacted the charity were as young as 10.
Overall, girls were six times more likely to contact Childline about suicidal thoughts and feelings than boys.
Many of the calls dealt with by the charity’s counsellors – about six a day – were so serious and harrowing they had to be referred to the emergency services.
The shocking crisis is chronicled in the NSPCC annual report – It Turned Out Someone Did Care – which is published today.
One 15-year-old girl said: ‘I am so stressed out with schoolwork and I’ve got exams coming up which is causing arguments with my family.
For now, self-harming helps but every time I cut, they get deeper and I’m scared it’s going to go too deep one day
Girl caller, 15
"I don’t know if I can cope much longer so I have been thinking about suicide and have planned how to do it.
"For now, self-harming helps but every time I cut, they get deeper and I’m scared it’s going to go too deep one day."
There was also an increase in the number of young people who spoke about their mental health, with almost a third of the sessions concentrating on the issue.
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Most of those at risk were aged between 12 and 15, with Childline's president, Dame Esther Rantzen, urging young people who have suicidal thoughts to contact the charity, which is run by the NSPCC.
"It really does make a difference to speak to someone who cares about you, and wants to listen," she said.
NSPCC chief executive Peter Wanless added: "We have to understand why so many children are reaching such a desperate emotional state that they feel they have no option but to end their lives.
"As a society, we cannot be content that a generation of children feel so worthless, alone and cut off from support, it is up to all of us to help them feel that life is worth living.
Dr Sabina Dosani, a child psychiatrist, told Sky News that funding cuts to mental health services for young people are exacerbating the problem.
"A lot of early intervention services have been cut, so I think it's a real wake-up call and it's time to reinvest in them," she added.
also spoke to "Anna", who started thinking about suicide when she was eight years old.
She explained: "My thoughts were literally that I could stop my pain by not being here, to remove myself from the equation, and to remove myself from the planet."
She said reaching out to a friend or a close family member is crucial - and added that seeking professional support from someone who is not part of daily life can also be valuable, as it is a way to express thoughts without worrying about the consequences.
Young people aged 18 and under can call Childline on 0800 1111, or visit
Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can also call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email [email protected] in the UK.