Urgent plea for help as NI teens’ mental health crisis spikes during lockdown
Last updated 13th Jan 2021
A leading charity has revealed the shock extent of the impact of lockdown on children’s mental health .
New NSPCC figures show there were 54,926 counselling sessions with children and young people who contacted Childline for support with mental and emotional health issues between April to December 2020.
Of this total, 929 were from Northern Ireland .
Among their concerns are loneliness, low mood, low self-esteem, depression and anxiety.
In addition, there was a 30% increase in the monthly average number of counselling sessions about mental health being delivered to children aged 16-18.
Now, a Belfast mum is urging others to share their time to help deal with the growing crisis.
Aideen Duggan (40) has been volunteering for the service for 18 months.
She said: “I joined Childline, which is part of the NSPCC, in July 2019 after I came across an advert on social media looking for volunteers.
“It prompted me to look at what the NSPCC does as a charity and as a mum myself, their work really stood out to me. I felt inspired to apply.
“I had no formal counselling experience and was nervous at the prospect of working with young people, especially those at risk.”
The organisation has remained open throughout the Coronavirus pandemic, but since last March volunteer numbers have dropped by 40%.
The charity said despite the latest lockdown measures, Childline will be available and volunteers have been given key worker status to continue their work.
Aideen added: “However, I needn’t have worried as the training programme Childline provides is incredibly in-depth and the support is second to none.
“I still sit during my shifts in awe as I listen to the work that is carried out. As a mum, my time volunteering has taught me patience and empathy.
“No shift is ever the same and contact can be tough.
“Although, despite how challenging it can be, I get such a huge sense of fulfilment knowing I have contributed to empowering young people to fulfil their potential and knowing I am part of the fight in ending child cruelty.”
Some children who contacted the service expressed feeling isolated and overwhelmed due to concerns about family members catching the virus, or school closures and cancelled exams - while others have felt cut off from support networks and are missing family and friends.
One 16-year-old girl said: “I feel really sad and lonely.
“I need to talk to someone because I don’t really have anyone right now.
“I am really struggling with the whole isolation thing.
“Most days I find myself just lost in my own thoughts and feeling numb.
“I am classed as a vulnerable person, so my isolation lasts for 12 weeks, which seems like a lifetime.”
Another girl aged 13 said: “I've found being inside for so long really difficult.
“I keep checking my phone and getting upset when nobody is talking to me.
“I feel so lonely and have started binge eating.
“Being with my family really isn't helping because we don't get along most of the time”.
Dame Esther Rantzen, founder and president of the organisation said it was “absolutely imperative” was there for them.
Childline was them.
“Many young people, especially those in unsafe homes, are feeling desperately anxious and depressed,” she added.
“School can be the only safe haven they know, and without that support they feel entirely alone.
“For them, Childline is literally a life-line.
“But the service urgently needs more volunteers to listen to and support children, and more funds to pay for their calls and on-line contacts, and for that we depend upon the generosity and compassion of the public.”
Children can call Childline on 0800 11 11 from 7.30am to 3.30 am from Monday to Friday or 9am to 3.30am on weekends. Or they can get in touch via
www.childline.org.uk
If you are interested in finding out more about volunteering for Childline, please contact, for Belfast heather.cardosi@nspcc.org.uk or for Foyle, amanda.doherty@nspcc.org.uk