Un tercio de los usuarios menores afirmaron haber sufrido abusos físicos
↓ Suicidal youngsters flood ChildLine
SERVIMEDIA | 23/03/2009 MADRID /LONDRES
El número de niños británicos que han acudido al servicio telefónico para la prevención del suicidio que ofrece 'ChildLine' se ha triplicado en los últimos cinco años, según 'The Guardian'.
Actualmente, un total de 60 niños utilizan dicho servicio cada semana, y 1 de cada 14 llamadas atendidas por el mismo son realizadas por menores que precisan atención médica urgente, o se encuentran en riesgo inminente de suicidio. Así lo afirman los datos de la Sociedad Nacional contra los Malos Tratos a la Infancia (NSPCC), que gestiona la mencionada línea telefónica de ayuda que opera en todo el Reino Unido.
De los 2.925 niños y adolescentes que llamaron a 'ChildLine' en 2007, 2.282 eran chicas, y algunos de ellos ya habían realizado algún intento de suicidio previamente, mientras que otros afirmaron haberlo intentado, o estar a punto de hacerlo, en el momento de efectuar la llamada.
Acomplejados y maltratados
Un tercio de los usuarios menores del servicio afirmaron que habían sido víctima de abusos físicos, y uno de cada cinco denunciaron abusos sexuales.
Sue Minto, directora de 'ChildLine', sostiene que "para algunos niños decir que se van a suicidar es una manera de pedir ayuda, mientras que para otros es la única vía para intentar escapar de sus problemas. Aunque muchos no pretenden realmente quitarse la vida, prestamos la máxima atención a cada llamada".
Según esta experta, los motivos que provocan ideas suicidas entre los niños son complejos, y con frecuencia están relacionados con problemas de salud mental y familiares, malos tratos o acoso. Por ello cree necesario que los padres reciban asesoría para detectar posibles síntomas de este problema en sus hijos, aprendan a escuchar sus preocupaciones y dónde buscar ayuda en caso necesario.
Por su parte, Rantzen, fundadora y presidenta de 'ChildLine', subrayó que "es muy preocupante que haya tantos niños con tanta angustia y sufrimiento y es necesario que los adultos nos responsabilicemos de esta situación".
ELMUNDO
The number of suicidal children turning to ChildLine counsellors has tripled in the last five years.
The NSPCC, which runs the free 24-hour helpline, said it received an average of almost 60 calls from suicidal youngsters every week.
Of that number, one in 14 needs urgent medical care or is in immediate danger - with family problems, bullying, abuse and exam stress featuring most often.
Some children told counsellors they had already tried to kill themselves, while others made attempts to do so while on the phone.
Almost a third of suicidal callers told volunteers they had been physically abused, with one in five children disclosing sexual abuse.
Ten-year-old Sophie told a counsellor: "I hate my life now dad's gone because I get blamed for everything and my mum is in the pub every day. We never have any money because of her drinking and I've got no friends now. I just want to die."
Another child, Paul, 13, said: "I feel like killing myself. My mum and dad beat me and I'm getting bullied at school. I don't have anyone else to turn to except ChildLine."
Sue Minto, head of ChildLine, said: "It is heartbreaking to listen to children talk of wanting to consider suicide. Suicidal children tell us they feel utterly lonely and helpless and, apart from ChildLine, nobody seems to care whether they live or die.
"Children can hide their distress so effectively that parents may have no idea their child is suicidal. We want parents to be given guidance on how to spot possible signs, how to listen to their child's worries and where to find help."
The NSPCC said 80% of calls to ChildLine about suicide were from girls, but calls from boys are rising fast and are now four times higher than five years ago.
AP
· "Every child deserves a happy childhood and the chance to grow and experience a full life". Simon Jones, NSPCC
· "I feel like killing myself. My mum and dad beat me and I'm getting bullied at school". ChildLine caller, aged 13
LONDON 23 MAR 2009 BBC
NSPCC Cymru/Wales reported an average of nearly 10 such calls a week to its ChildLine bases in Wales last year, amounting to a total of more than 500.
Abuse, neglect, family problems or mental health issues were among the reasons cited for calls.
The NSPCC's Simon Jones said: "We treat every call as extremely serious".
Some 50% of the callers gave their age, and half were aged 12-15, the charity reported.
Some said they had already attempted suicide, while others made attempts while on the phone to a counsellor.
The charity revealed that four out of five calls to bases in Wales about suicide were from girls, but calls from boys were rising faster and were now higher than five years ago.
NSPCC Cymru/Wales issued transcripts of two calls from "suicidal" children.
A 10-year-old girl told a ChildLine counsellor: "I hate my life now Dad's gone because I get blamed for everything and Mum is in the pub every day.
"We never have any money because of her drinking and I've got no friends now. I just want to die".
'Scared'
Another caller, a 13-year-old boy said: "I feel like killing myself. My Mum and Dad beat me and I'm getting bullied at school.
"I don't have anyone else to turn to except ChildLine. No one else would be able to help me; I'm scared of telling anyone."
Mr Jones, NSPCC policy and public affairs manager for Wales, commented: "It is heartbreaking to listen to children talk of wanting to consider suicide. For a suicidal child, ChildLine can literally be a lifeline.
"Suicidal children tell us they feel utterly lonely and helpless and, apart from ChildLine, nobody seems to care whether they live or die.
"Our counsellors are trained to deal with suicide calls so they can assess the danger and how best to help.
"For some children, saying they want to take their own lives themselves is a cry for help, while others see it as the only way to escape their problems.
"While many callers will not actually attempt suicide we treat every call as extremely serious."
Mr Jones explained that the children were feeling suicidal for complex and different reasons, but often reported a history of abuse, neglect, family problems or mental health issues.
Others had been driven to the brink by bullying, the death of someone close or exam stress, he said.
'Struggled with emotions'
He said: "We need to remember that behind every suicide is a child or young person who has struggled with emotions or situations in their lives.
"The situation within the Bridgend area brought into focus the issue of youth suicide and we need to learn whatever we can from those tragedies to improve prevention and protection of children and young people across Wales.
"Children can hide their distress so effectively that parents may have no idea their child is suicidal.
"We strongly urge any child who feels suicidal to call ChildLine. Or they could speak to a trusted adult such as their teacher or doctor.
"Every child deserves a happy childhood and the chance to grow and experience a full life. It is vital that children get the support they need."
The NSPCC has called for teachers and doctors to be trained to identify suicide distress signs before children reach crisis point, and wants therapy to be made available for all children who have suffered abuse.
Since ChildLine joined with the NSPCC in 2006, the helpline has been expanded and said it answers more calls from children and young people than ever before. Even so, ChildLine said it was still unable to answer one in three calls.
In response, the NSPCC has called on the public to donate to its Child's Voice Appeal, saying it needs to raise an extra £50m over the next three years, in addition to £30m already pledged by the UK government, so that ChildLine can try to answer every call for help.
BBC
HELP! www.childline.org.uk
↓ Suicidal youngsters flood ChildLine
SERVIMEDIA | 23/03/2009 MADRID /LONDRES El número de niños británicos que han acudido al servicio telefónico para la prevención del suicidio que ofrece 'ChildLine' se ha triplicado en los últimos cinco años, según 'The Guardian'.
Actualmente, un total de 60 niños utilizan dicho servicio cada semana, y 1 de cada 14 llamadas atendidas por el mismo son realizadas por menores que precisan atención médica urgente, o se encuentran en riesgo inminente de suicidio. Así lo afirman los datos de la Sociedad Nacional contra los Malos Tratos a la Infancia (NSPCC), que gestiona la mencionada línea telefónica de ayuda que opera en todo el Reino Unido.
De los 2.925 niños y adolescentes que llamaron a 'ChildLine' en 2007, 2.282 eran chicas, y algunos de ellos ya habían realizado algún intento de suicidio previamente, mientras que otros afirmaron haberlo intentado, o estar a punto de hacerlo, en el momento de efectuar la llamada.
Acomplejados y maltratados
Un tercio de los usuarios menores del servicio afirmaron que habían sido víctima de abusos físicos, y uno de cada cinco denunciaron abusos sexuales.
Sue Minto, directora de 'ChildLine', sostiene que "para algunos niños decir que se van a suicidar es una manera de pedir ayuda, mientras que para otros es la única vía para intentar escapar de sus problemas. Aunque muchos no pretenden realmente quitarse la vida, prestamos la máxima atención a cada llamada".
Según esta experta, los motivos que provocan ideas suicidas entre los niños son complejos, y con frecuencia están relacionados con problemas de salud mental y familiares, malos tratos o acoso. Por ello cree necesario que los padres reciban asesoría para detectar posibles síntomas de este problema en sus hijos, aprendan a escuchar sus preocupaciones y dónde buscar ayuda en caso necesario.
Por su parte, Rantzen, fundadora y presidenta de 'ChildLine', subrayó que "es muy preocupante que haya tantos niños con tanta angustia y sufrimiento y es necesario que los adultos nos responsabilicemos de esta situación".
ELMUNDO
Suicidal youngsters flood ChildLine
LONDON 23 MAR 2009 APThe number of suicidal children turning to ChildLine counsellors has tripled in the last five years.
The NSPCC, which runs the free 24-hour helpline, said it received an average of almost 60 calls from suicidal youngsters every week.
Of that number, one in 14 needs urgent medical care or is in immediate danger - with family problems, bullying, abuse and exam stress featuring most often.
Some children told counsellors they had already tried to kill themselves, while others made attempts to do so while on the phone.
Almost a third of suicidal callers told volunteers they had been physically abused, with one in five children disclosing sexual abuse.
Ten-year-old Sophie told a counsellor: "I hate my life now dad's gone because I get blamed for everything and my mum is in the pub every day. We never have any money because of her drinking and I've got no friends now. I just want to die."
Another child, Paul, 13, said: "I feel like killing myself. My mum and dad beat me and I'm getting bullied at school. I don't have anyone else to turn to except ChildLine."
Sue Minto, head of ChildLine, said: "It is heartbreaking to listen to children talk of wanting to consider suicide. Suicidal children tell us they feel utterly lonely and helpless and, apart from ChildLine, nobody seems to care whether they live or die.
"Children can hide their distress so effectively that parents may have no idea their child is suicidal. We want parents to be given guidance on how to spot possible signs, how to listen to their child's worries and where to find help."
The NSPCC said 80% of calls to ChildLine about suicide were from girls, but calls from boys are rising fast and are now four times higher than five years ago.
AP
Calls from suicidal young rising
The number of "suicidal" children calling a Welsh helpline has risen four-fold in the past five years, a charity says.· "Every child deserves a happy childhood and the chance to grow and experience a full life". Simon Jones, NSPCC
· "I feel like killing myself. My mum and dad beat me and I'm getting bullied at school". ChildLine caller, aged 13
LONDON 23 MAR 2009 BBC
NSPCC Cymru/Wales reported an average of nearly 10 such calls a week to its ChildLine bases in Wales last year, amounting to a total of more than 500.
Abuse, neglect, family problems or mental health issues were among the reasons cited for calls.
The NSPCC's Simon Jones said: "We treat every call as extremely serious".
Some 50% of the callers gave their age, and half were aged 12-15, the charity reported.
Some said they had already attempted suicide, while others made attempts while on the phone to a counsellor.
The charity revealed that four out of five calls to bases in Wales about suicide were from girls, but calls from boys were rising faster and were now higher than five years ago.
NSPCC Cymru/Wales issued transcripts of two calls from "suicidal" children.
A 10-year-old girl told a ChildLine counsellor: "I hate my life now Dad's gone because I get blamed for everything and Mum is in the pub every day.
"We never have any money because of her drinking and I've got no friends now. I just want to die".
'Scared'
Another caller, a 13-year-old boy said: "I feel like killing myself. My Mum and Dad beat me and I'm getting bullied at school.
"I don't have anyone else to turn to except ChildLine. No one else would be able to help me; I'm scared of telling anyone."
Mr Jones, NSPCC policy and public affairs manager for Wales, commented: "It is heartbreaking to listen to children talk of wanting to consider suicide. For a suicidal child, ChildLine can literally be a lifeline.
"Suicidal children tell us they feel utterly lonely and helpless and, apart from ChildLine, nobody seems to care whether they live or die.
"Our counsellors are trained to deal with suicide calls so they can assess the danger and how best to help.
"For some children, saying they want to take their own lives themselves is a cry for help, while others see it as the only way to escape their problems.
"While many callers will not actually attempt suicide we treat every call as extremely serious."
Mr Jones explained that the children were feeling suicidal for complex and different reasons, but often reported a history of abuse, neglect, family problems or mental health issues.
Others had been driven to the brink by bullying, the death of someone close or exam stress, he said.
'Struggled with emotions'
He said: "We need to remember that behind every suicide is a child or young person who has struggled with emotions or situations in their lives.
"The situation within the Bridgend area brought into focus the issue of youth suicide and we need to learn whatever we can from those tragedies to improve prevention and protection of children and young people across Wales.
"Children can hide their distress so effectively that parents may have no idea their child is suicidal.
"We strongly urge any child who feels suicidal to call ChildLine. Or they could speak to a trusted adult such as their teacher or doctor.
"Every child deserves a happy childhood and the chance to grow and experience a full life. It is vital that children get the support they need."
The NSPCC has called for teachers and doctors to be trained to identify suicide distress signs before children reach crisis point, and wants therapy to be made available for all children who have suffered abuse.
Since ChildLine joined with the NSPCC in 2006, the helpline has been expanded and said it answers more calls from children and young people than ever before. Even so, ChildLine said it was still unable to answer one in three calls.
In response, the NSPCC has called on the public to donate to its Child's Voice Appeal, saying it needs to raise an extra £50m over the next three years, in addition to £30m already pledged by the UK government, so that ChildLine can try to answer every call for help.
BBC
HELP! www.childline.org.uk
