Childline: Behind each statistic is a young person in pain, often feeling alone
Our Childline counsellors are available to support children around the clock, no matter what they are going through.
Sometimes, they just want to speak to someone in a safe, non-judgemental environment about a bad day at school.
But sometimes we hear from children who are struggling with suicidal thoughts and feelings.
Last year, the service delivered 18,981 counselling sessions on this topic – an average of 52 a day – around 20% of which were with young people who were considered ‘actively suicidal’ and planning to take their life.
One child told Childline: “Unless I distract myself, I'm having suicidal thoughts. Even when I think I'm happy or trying to sleep, it'll pop into my head, 'why am I here?'.
“My doctor and mum are trying lots of things to help. Telling my friends about it helps; we talk, we resolve it, the thought goes away. I feel quite calm when it happens, not sad like you'd expect, but I am aware that it's a suicidal thought and I would like it if they stopped."
Some children tell Childline that suicidal thoughts can be a normal part of their life and are a regular – sometimes daily – occurrence.
Behind each statistic is a young person in pain, often feeling alone. But we believe these numbers also represent hope, because for every one of these 18,981 sessions there was a moment when a child chose to reach out rather than suffer in silence.
Our counsellors are there 24/7 because we know that having someone to talk to can be the difference between despair and hope, between isolation and connection.
We want every young person to know that however dark things feel, Childline is here to listen and to help them find a way through.
Talking to a child on this topic can feel daunting, so if you are worried about speaking to a young person about suicidal thoughts and feelings, remind them that Childline is available around the clock.
Also, explain that they are not alone, other people go through similar thoughts and feelings, support is available and that things can get better.
*Childline is here for every young person who is experiencing suicidal thoughts and feelings, trained counsellors can be reached via the phone on 0800 1111 and online through the 121 chat on the Childline website.