iStockChildline delivered a record number of counselling sessions about loneliness to children across the UK in December 2020, according to the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC).
The charity said more than 6000 children and young people attended sessions over Christmas last year – with the main concern being their mental and emotional health.
Volunteers from Childline are available 24 hours a day to support young people across the festive period and to ensure there is always someone available to talk to.
Ellen McQuade, Childline team manager, said: “A lot of young people come with great coping mechanisms but they just need a wee bit of help and a wee bit of support to get them over the wee hurdle that they are going through.
“And for some young people that hurdle will be small and for some people that hurdle will be huge and we are there for them – to listen and support them through that.”
Childline delivered 41,216 counselling sessions about mental and emotional health between April and October this year.
Counselling sessions peaked in August and September and were the highest on record for these months.
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