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Girls' plea for help over suicide Girls' plea for help over suicide
(about 2 hours later)
Nearly 140 young girls rang a Northern Ireland children's helpline last year worried about suicide, a leading charity has said.Nearly 140 young girls rang a Northern Ireland children's helpline last year worried about suicide, a leading charity has said.
"Some rang the 24-hour helpline while attempting to take their own lives," Paddy Shannon, ChildLine NI, said."Some rang the 24-hour helpline while attempting to take their own lives," Paddy Shannon, ChildLine NI, said.
"Others said they had already tried to kill themselves and were thinking of trying again.""Others said they had already tried to kill themselves and were thinking of trying again."
The NSPCC has called for urgent action to bolster Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in Northern Ireland.The NSPCC has called for urgent action to bolster Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in Northern Ireland.
The charity, which runs ChildLine, said such services needed to be properly resourced.The charity, which runs ChildLine, said such services needed to be properly resourced.
The 550 young callers - some as young as eight years old - who were worried about depression, suicide and other mental health problems would have filled 23 classrooms, Mr Shannon, director of ChildLine, said.The 550 young callers - some as young as eight years old - who were worried about depression, suicide and other mental health problems would have filled 23 classrooms, Mr Shannon, director of ChildLine, said.
"We are able to give immediate support to these young people, who are going through a terrifying experience, but it is clear that those who call us with serious problems may need more intensive therapeutic support over a sustained period."We are able to give immediate support to these young people, who are going through a terrifying experience, but it is clear that those who call us with serious problems may need more intensive therapeutic support over a sustained period.
"At the moment, there are simply not enough therapeutic services for children with these problems and we are urging the government to give this issue urgent attention.""At the moment, there are simply not enough therapeutic services for children with these problems and we are urging the government to give this issue urgent attention."
Of calls to the Northern Ireland base about suicide, nearly three quarters came from girls.Of calls to the Northern Ireland base about suicide, nearly three quarters came from girls.
However, despite the higher number of calls from girls, statistics show that suicide among young men is double that of females, highlighting the need for resources targeted at males in particular, the charity said.However, despite the higher number of calls from girls, statistics show that suicide among young men is double that of females, highlighting the need for resources targeted at males in particular, the charity said.
Problems
Eating problems also featured on the list of concerns with some children and young people saying that they wanted to lose weight after being bullied.Eating problems also featured on the list of concerns with some children and young people saying that they wanted to lose weight after being bullied.
Almost 150 young people called about self harm, with many explaining that they believed it helped them cope with other problems.Almost 150 young people called about self harm, with many explaining that they believed it helped them cope with other problems.
Family difficulties encountered by many of the callers included living with someone suffering with mental problems or with parents who were abusive, neglectful or drank too much.Family difficulties encountered by many of the callers included living with someone suffering with mental problems or with parents who were abusive, neglectful or drank too much.
A 14-year-old girl told Childline: "Mum has been on anti-depressants for years. The doctor wants her to keep taking them but she's stopped. It's really scary. I feel like I've had to raise myself - it's made me lonely and depressed."A 14-year-old girl told Childline: "Mum has been on anti-depressants for years. The doctor wants her to keep taking them but she's stopped. It's really scary. I feel like I've had to raise myself - it's made me lonely and depressed."
A 15-year-old boy said: "I've taken some tablets and drunk a bottle of vodka. There's no point. No one cares about me. My mum didn't even notice that I've self harmed. I have nothing to feel good about anymore."A 15-year-old boy said: "I've taken some tablets and drunk a bottle of vodka. There's no point. No one cares about me. My mum didn't even notice that I've self harmed. I have nothing to feel good about anymore."