Childline have revealed that the number of children who have called the charity about suicidal thoughts have doubled in the last five years.
In a report, released today, it emerged that an average of one call every 30 minutes is taken from a child in the UK with suicidal thoughts.
Turbulent home life, abuse, school pressures and mental health conditions were all cited as major triggers for suicidal thoughts.
Some of the children who have contacted the charity are as young as 10, with girls found to be six times more likely to contact Childline about suicidal thoughts and feelings than boys.
In the report by the NSPCC, 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.
“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.”
Childline’s president, Dame Esther Rantzen urged young people who have suicidal thoughts to contact the charity, saying: “It really does make a difference to speak to someone who cares about you, and wants to listen.”
This, child psychiatrist Dr. Sabina Dosani told Sky News, should be a wake-up call to reinvest in mental health services for young people.
Evidenced further in that there's been an 87% increase in young people struggling to access professional help.
Most blamed lengthy waiting lists, a lack of information or a refusal to help.
But just why are so many young people in such a desperate emotional state?
NSPCC chief executive Peter Wanless said: “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.
"Children shouldering mental health problems often feel left in the shadows. Their pain is not obviously visible and their injuries cannot be mended with bandages. We must listen to them, find out what is troubling them, and help them overcome their problems."
***Young people aged 18 and under can call Childline on 0800 1111, or visit www.childline.org.uk
Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can also call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK.***
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