CHILDLINE is urging boys to speak out about suicidal feelings as figures reveal they are six times less likely than girls to talk to counsellors about thoughts of ending their lives.
In 2015/16 the NSPCC-run service delivered 1,934 counselling sessions with boys compared to 11,463 with girls.
National statistics show that the suicide rate for boys aged 10 to 19 was more than double that for girls in 2015.
Childline has launched its new ‘Tough to Talk’ campaign, backed by Manchester United and England footballer Wayne Rooney.
The campaign, which includes a film ‘Things Guys Don’t Talk About’, aims to empower boys to seek support for suicidal feelings.
NSPCC Ambassador for Childhood, Wayne Rooney, said: “Growing up in the world of football I know there can be a stigma attached to young men showing emotion and talking about their feelings. It can be seen as a weakness but the opposite is true and it takes great strength to open up and reach out for help.
“Hopefully Childline’s ‘Tough to Talk’ campaign will help young people, and boys in particular, see that they are not alone and it’s ok to speak out.
“They don’t need to suffer in silence. I would encourage any young person struggling with suicidal thoughts to talk to someone they trust or contact Childline.”
The boys who did get in touch with Childline talked about a wide range of issues including relationship worries, abuse, bullying, sexuality and gender identity and mental health issues alongside feeling suicidal.
Twelve to 15-year-olds were most likely to be counselled about suicide.
In 20 per cent of counselling sessions where boys mentioned if they had confided in anyone else, they said it was the first time they had spoken to anybody about their suicidal thoughts or feelings.
One young person told Childline: “I keep having suicidal thoughts and I feel like I need to speak to someone.
“I have thought about telling my Mum, but I think she will say that I just need to get over it. I have exams coming up but I haven’t been able to concentrate because of these thoughts I keep having. What should I do?”
A 14-year-old boy told the charity: “Sometimes I think killing myself is the only option left.
“I’ve tried everything; I’ve been to my GP and have had counselling too but nothing seems to work. I feel as if nobody understands me.
“I’ve been depressed for a few years now and things seem to have become worse. Please help me; I don’t know what to do anymore.”
Ziv Israeli, Birmingham’s Childline Service Manager said: “Children struggling with suicidal feelings may feel alone with nobody to talk to and nowhere to turn for help.
“For boys in particular it can be harder to ask for help due to a reluctance to talk about their feelings, but this could be stopping boys from accessing support when they most need it.
“We hope that by putting the spotlight on male suicide we can help boys see that they are not alone. If they can’t talk to friends or parents then Childline is here to listen to them, whenever they need us.”
Dame Esther Rantzen, President of Childline added: “Many girls also tell Childline they don’t want to live any more, and to hear this from any child is heart-breaking.
“But we know that boys particularly struggle to talk about their despair because they regard it as weakness to share their feelings, so we want to encourage them to speak to us on the phone, or online because we also know that if they try to combat these suicidal thoughts alone, they can become overwhelmed by them, and that’s when we can lose precious young lives.
“Suicide is one of the leading causes of death for boys and young men. We need to draw attention to this growing problem, and make sure all our desperate children know that Childline is there for them, day and night.”
Children and young people can contact Childline for free, confidential support and advice, 24 hours a day on 0800 1111 or at www.childline.org.uk
