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Anxiety the top mental health concern for children contacting Childline service
Created: 03/02/2025This Children’s Mental Health Week, Childline is encouraging young people who are experiencing anxiety to reach out.
The NSPCC, which runs the Childline service, said anxiety was the top mental health concern for children in Scotland.
Childline is a free service provided by children's charity NSPCC, offering a safe, confidential place for children to turn to whenever they need help. The service has a base in Glasgow.
Between April and September last year, Childline delivered a total of 1,130 sessions about mental health to children known to be from Scotland - 276 of which were focused on anxiety. This represents almost a quarter (24%) of all counselling sessions Childline carried out relating to mental health and wellbeing.
One girl, aged 11, told Childline “I’m so self-conscious of how I look, my personality, and what people think about me. It makes me feel anxious. I know everyone is different, but I feel different in a bad way.”
The figures come as the charity marks Children’s Mental Health Week, which takes place 03-09 February 2025. The week has been organised by children’s mental health charity Place2Be, which hopes to empower young children to grow and develop resilience to cope with what life throws at them.
Shaun Friel, Director of Childline, said “It’s deeply concerning that so many children and young people are reaching out to us because they’re struggling with anxiety. We know how overwhelming these feelings can be, often leaving young people feeling trapped and unsure where to turn.
“From worries about school and bullying to the pressures of body image and fears about the future, young people are facing a range of challenges that can seriously impact their mental health and wellbeing.
“This Children’s Mental Health Week, we want every child to know that they are not alone. Childline is here to provide a safe, confidential space to talk about whatever is worrying them – at any time of the day or night.”
Childline is encouraging parents to communicate openly with children about their feelings, as well as promoting healthy routines and coping mechanisms.
Childline is here for young people via the phone on 0800 1111 and online through the Childline website. Place2Be also offers parents, children and young people advice on its Parenting Smart webpage.