Fears children in Suffolk could be struggling with their mental health as calls to Childline soar
The charity is looking for more volunteers to help out
There's fears children in Suffolk could be struggling with their mental health.
The NSPCC says there's been more than 50,000 counselling sessions about mental health since the beginning of the pandemic.
The charity is calling for more volunteers to take calls, with the number of volunteers dropping by 40% since last March.
New figures reveal Childline has seen an increase in the number of counselling sessions about mental and emotional health with children aged 11 and under since lockdown measures were first introduced- with the monthly average rising by 16%.
The latest data from the NSPCC- also shows that the service has now delivered a total of 54,926 counselling sessions to children of all ages on this issue from April to the end of December against the backdrop of the pandemic.
The monthly average number of counselling sessions on mental health where children spoke about loneliness also rose by 10% compared to the pre-lockdown period from January to March.
"With the right help and support, these children can go on to have full and happy lives."
Childline counselling is delivered by volunteers and the service is urgently appealing to those who can spare four hours one evening a week or at the weekend to volunteer.
With schools closed to the majority of pupils until at least mid-February and the whole of the UK in lockdown, Childline has never been more important as a source of support for young people who are struggling. Now more than ever, it is essential that children are not left isolated, alone and unsupported.
Over the past ten months, the NSPCC-run service's trained counsellors have heard first-hand the devastating impact that the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic have had on young people's mental health.
Children who contacted Childline's trained counsellors about their mental health spoke about concerns including loneliness, low mood, low self-esteem, depression and anxiety.
Some have been 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.
During the pandemic, Childline has continued to adapt to ensure it can still be here for children including developing online training so volunteers can answer emails from young people remotely. However, despite this, since last March volunteer numbers have dropped by 50%.
Despite, the latest national lockdown, Childline will remain open and staff and volunteers have been given key worker status to continue their vital work. Sparing a few hours, one evening a week or at the weekend volunteering at a local Childline base can help ensure Childline continues to support children who often have nowhere to turn.
But there is also a range of other ways to support the charity, including taking on a sponsored challenge or fundraising in the community.
Childline Founder and President, Dame Esther Rantzen said:
"With schools now shut again and children spending more time behind closed doors, it is absolutely paramount that we all come together to support children and help ensure the impact of the pandemic does not continue on into adulthood.
"With the right help and support, these children can go on to have full and happy lives.
"Therefore, I encourage anyone who can to join the NSPCC in their mission to make 2021 a better year for children."
Neil Homer, who is 53 years old and works in telecoms, has volunteered for Childline since 2009.
He said:
"I've heard first-hand the devastating impact the pandemic has had on children's mental health and well-being.
"As children's lives continue to be impacted by the pandemic, it is vital that myself and my fellow volunteer counsellors continue to be here to listen to children's worries and support them. However, we currently can't answer every child so, if you can, please sign up and volunteer for Childline and help us reach every child who needs our support."
Su Wright, Children Services Practitioner for NSPCC Peterborough Service Centre, said: "Last year was a challenging year for all of us and these latest figures from Childline show the impact this pandemic has had on children's mental health across the UK.
"Here in the East of England, the children we help have already been through so much and demonstrate great resilience. Our programmes, like Protect and Respect and Letting the Future In, are there to help children rebuild their lives after traumatic events such as sexual abuse.
"Many of these young people may already be struggling with their mental health due to the trauma they have experienced, and the impacts of the pandemic often exacerbated their feelings of loneliness, depression and anxiety. We can all experience difficulties with our mental health at points in our lives, and it is important to know where to access support."
The NSPCC has been supported by players of People's Postcode Lottery who provided crucial funding of £1,000,000 to Childline last year, the equivalent of running the service for an entire month.
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