Thousands of children contacted Childline last year with suicidal thoughts as charities highlight the hidden struggles many young people face.
Childline handled more than 50 counselling sessions a day last year for children struggling with suicidal thoughts and feelings, according to new research published by the NSPCC.
In 2024/25, the helpline, which is run by the NSPCC, provided 18,981 sessions where a child’s main concern related to suicide.
Suicidal thoughts and feelings accounted for 12% of all Childline sessions and triggered 70% of referrals to local authorities, police and the NHS.
The charity said the findings highlight both the scale and seriousness of the crisis. In one in five sessions – equating to 3,804 – the child was actively suicidal, meaning they had a clear plan to take their own life or were taking steps to harm themselves.
The other 80% of sessions involved children seeking support before a crisis, with some saying suicidal thoughts are a regular, and sometimes daily, part of their lives.
One 13-year-old girl told Childline: ‘The smallest things trigger me. I feel so angry or really sad until I feel numb, then the suicidal thoughts come. My mum was an addict when I was younger, she’s been ok for years now, but we’re both living with BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder) still. I feel I’m like this because of childhood trauma.’
Another child said: ‘Unless I distract myself, I’m having suicidal thoughts. Even when I think I’m happy or trying to sleep, it’ll pop into my head, ‘why am I here?’…I feel quite calm when it happens, not sad like you’d expect, but I am aware that it’s a suicidal thought and I would like it if they stopped.’
The data has been published during Place2Be’s Children’s Mental Health Week, an initiative that was first launched in 2015 and focuses on creating supportive environments for young people.
Catherine Roche, chief executive of Place2Be’s, said: ‘It is inspiring to see the vital work the NSPCC is doing to support children and young people at such a critical time. No child should have to face their mental health challenges alone.’
‘We support those experiencing a wide range of difficulties, including self‑harm and suicidal thoughts, and we know that early intervention can be life‑changing,’ she added.
Shaun Friel, director of Childline, stated the figures revealed ‘the devastating reality that every single day an average of more than 50 counselling sessions take place at Childline because children are struggling with the thoughts of suicide.’
‘Behind each statistic is a young person in pain, often feeling alone,’ Friel continued. ‘But these numbers also represent hope… Our message to every young person is simple: you are not alone. Whatever you’re going through, however dark things feel, Childline is here. We’re here to listen, to believe you, and to help you find a way through.’
Childline is available 24 hours a day and can be contacted on 0800 1111. More information about how to get in touch with the charity can be found here.
Image: Shutterstock
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