One in three ChildLine counselling sessions last year were to do with mental health concerns, and mental health problems make up three out of the top five reasons for children contacting the helpline. Low self-esteem was the top concern, and has risen by 19% since last year, while suicide concerns increased by 10%. When ChildLine was set up, the main issues were pregnancy, bullying, and physical and sexual abuse. Today the concerns are more to do with loneliness, suicidal thoughts and self-harm.
Mental health problems dominate ChildLine
