NSCPCC’s Childline sees over 25% rise in calls from NI children during Covid-19 lockdown

The NSPCC-run-Childline service has seen an increase of more than 25 per cent in children in Northern Ireland getting in touch about their mental health and emotional wellbeing during lockdown.
During lockdown one eight-year-old girl told Childline that she felt her family did not care about her. (Photo posed by model)During lockdown one eight-year-old girl told Childline that she felt her family did not care about her. (Photo posed by model)
During lockdown one eight-year-old girl told Childline that she felt her family did not care about her. (Photo posed by model)

The charity has held 373 counselling sessions about mental health and wellbeing with children in Northern Ireland since lockdown, a rate of 124 per month compared to 99 per month before lockdown.

One eight year-old-girl told Childline: “I am feeling sad and worried. I am scared of Covid-19 and feel like my family don’t care about me. I don’t get any attention and am always fighting with my mum. I live with just my mum and don’t see dad much. We live in a tiny flat and sometimes we get so angry with each other we end up fighting. After we have had a fight I hurt myself because I feel like I am not good enough.”

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Throughout the pandemic young people have told counsellors they are feeling low, unhappy, overwhelmed and more recently talked about the anxiety they feel as we look to come out of lockdown.

Some children talked to Childline about family relationships, sharing that arguments, increased parental stress levels and abusive home environments are impacting their mental health.

The NSPCC is calling on the Northern Ireland Executive to ensure that its Coronavirus recovery plan prioritises the needs of children in both education and health, with a particular emphasis on the identification of vulnerability and trauma.

This should include increased investment in children’s emotional well-being in schools and child and adolescent mental health support, the charity says.

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Mairead Monds, head of Childline Belfast, said: “There is no doubt that the Coronavirus pandemic has had a direct impact on the mental health of many of our children and young people in Northern Ireland.

“It is vital that Childline can continue to be there to help support young people to cope and recover from the aftermath of this crisis. We also need to see this backed up by an ambitious recovery plan that ensures children can access the vital services they need to begin to move forwards.”

Childline has had to close its night service for the first time and saw a 30% drop in volunteer hours, due to counsellors having to self-isolate. Adults concerned about a child can call the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000, or email [email protected]. Children can call Childline on 0800 11 11 or via 1-2-1 chat on www.childline.org.uk

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