When the state abandons suicidal children, something has gone badly wrong | Frances Ryan

Because of Conservative cuts to NHS funding, young people having a mental health crisis are having to turn to charity. There’s simply no one else to help them

The first time you hear a 13-year-old say they want to die stays with you. I was a volunteer counsellor at Childline for a decade until a few years ago, answering the phones, and later, replying to the online chat service. One thing that struck me around 2014 was the rising number of young people contacting us with suicidal thoughts. Some would call with plans in place. Others would type out distressed thoughts. The counsellors and staff were diligent and caring, and sometimes simply listening was what was needed.

But each time I helped a young person contact their local mental health service, I was very aware that – with growing nationwide waiting lists – there was every chance they would find the courage to ask for support, only to be turned away.

While suicidal thoughts is the fifth most common reason for boys to contact Childline, it’s third most common for girls

Related: Crisis in mental health care for young people | Letters

Continue reading... October 26, 2017 at 01:30PM