Number of Midlands children feeling suicidal soars says Childline
The number of children counselled for feeling suicidal is five times higher in the West Midlands than it was five years ago, according to the NSPCC.
Last year nearly 3,000 children across the UK phoned the ChildLine helpline because they were feeling suicidal, of which 484 calls were made to the West Midlands base.
Some said they had already attempted suicide, while others made attempts when on the phone. Many of the callers were suffering from abuse, family problems, bullying or exam stress.
Nationally, of those children who gave their age, more than half were aged 12 to 15 years and one in 16 was aged 11 years or under.
Claire Brown, children’s services manager at ChildLine West Midlands, said: “Children feeling suicidal is something people don’t expect to hear.
“It is heartbreaking to listen to children talk of wanting to consider suicide. For a suicidal child, ChildLine can literally be a lifeline.
“Suicidal children tell us they feel utterly lonely and helpless and, apart from ChildLine, nobody seems to care whether they live or die. Our counsellors are trained to deal with suicide calls so they can assess the danger and how best to help.
“For some children, saying they want to take their own lives themselves is a cry for help, while others see it as the only way to escape their problems. While many callers will not actually attempt suicide we treat every call as extremely serious.
“Children feel suicidal for complex and different reasons, but often say they have a history of abuse, neglect, family problems or mental health issues.
“Others have been driven to the brink by bullying, their parents’ divorce, the death of someone close or exam stress.
