Childline targets boys' mental health
By Gemma Raw
The We All Feel It campaign aims to support young people, particularly boys and young men, who are experiencing mental health issues which may lead to crisis.
In 2020, 161 people between the ages of 10 and 19 committed suicide (source: Office for National Statistics). 70% of them were boys and young men.
Research by Childline shows that boys are outnumbered one to five by girls in calling the charity's helplines to talk about mental health. And boys are even less likely to contact the service when they have suicidal thoughts.
In response, the charity has launched the We All Feel It campaign. Developed by creative agency Livity to engage young people with lively, relevant content, the campaign website features a wealth of information, tips and videos, dealing with a range of issues, from depression and anxiety to self-harm and suicidal thoughts. There's also a section on where and how to get help, including a Q&A with TV doctor Ranj Singh about visiting a GP.
Childline also has a set of online tools to help young people protect their mental wellbeing, including coping strategies, a mental health first aid kit, a conversation starter and a suite of games that enable players to take their minds off negative feelings and live in the moment.
Shared experience
In 2017, a study by the British Association of Social Workers (BASW) confirmed 10 common themes in suicide in under 20s: family factors such as mental illness; abuse and neglect, bereavement and experience of suicide; bullying; suicide-related internet use; academic pressures, especially related to exams; social isolation or withdrawal; physical health conditions that may have social impact; alcohol and illicit drugs; and mental ill health, self-harm and suicidal ideas.
The report also identified important themes in suicide prevention, including support for or management of family factors (for example mental illness, physical illness or substance misuse), childhood abuse, bullying, physical health, social isolation, mental ill-health and alcohol or drug misuse.
Teachers, health workers, social care staff and other professionals all have a role to play. A key message in the report is that suicide prevention in children and young people is a role shared by frontline agencies. "They need to improve access, collaboration and risk management skills," says the report. "A later, more flexible transition to adult services would be more consistent with our finding of antecedents across the age range."
In 2021, the National Child Mortality Database published a thematic report on suicide in children and young people. It recommended that all frontline staff working with children and young people 10 years of age and over, including those in social care jobs, are supported to attend suicide prevention training.
Free tools for social workers
The Social Workers Tool Box website offers some free resources relating to suicide for those working in social care roles. The Tool Box includes a suicide safety planning app, 'how to' guides for service users and professionals, and a personal suicide safety plan.
Children and young people can contact Childline 24-7 for free, confidential support and advice. Use 1-2-1 chats, call free on 0800 1111 or sign up for a free account and send an email.
