New figures from Childline show that more than 900 counselling sessions on mental health have been delivered to children from Northern Ireland since the start of the first lockdown.
The statistics from the NSPCC-run service shows that there were nearly 55,000 counselling sessions across the UK that were focused on this issue.
There has also been a rise in the number of 16-18-year-olds getting in touch from Northern Ireland.
As schools across Northern Ireland remain closed for the latest lockdown, NSPCC Northern Ireland’s Head of Local Campaigns Margaret Gallagher has been looking at the impact of the pandemic on children.
As we adjust to living under tighter lockdown restrictions, we must continue to embrace the spirit of community seen in last spring’s lockdown and work to ensure all of us are kept as safe as possible.
COVID-19 is not the only danger facing children and now that so many children are not at school, it is vital we ensure children are not left isolated, unsupported and facing further risks behind closed doors.
Of course, there are educational benefits from being in school, but interaction with friends and peers is a huge boost to a child’s mental health and wellbeing.
Just as important is that they are visible to teachers and staff who are trained to identify when something might be wrong or upsetting a young person, and who children can trust to speak to about any problems they are experiencing.
New Childline figures revealed more than 900 counselling sessions on mental health have been delivered to children from Northern Ireland since the start of the first lockdown.
The data from the NSPCC-run service shows that there were nearly 55,000 counselling sessions across the UK that were focused on this issue and also a rise in the number of 16-18-year-olds getting in touch from Northern Ireland.
While the government is acting to protect us all from this virus, we’re also calling on them to ensure this generation of young people is not defined by the pandemic. In the short-term, this will mean ensuring that support is provided now for those who are vulnerable and, in the long-term, investing in local services and specialist support for children and young people.
School closures are more than an inconvenience for parents. If connections with teachers, adults and services which keep children safe are lost and children are out of sight, the risk of harm, abuse and neglect increases, as does the negative impact on a young person’s mental health.
Children not being able to physically attend school also inevitably causes them to spend more time online. To help children safe online, NSPCC Northern Ireland is delivering virtual online safety talks for parents. They are free to join and are presented by experienced NSPCC staff, who provide advice, tips, and signposting to free resources and extra support.
If you’d like to organise one of the webinars for yourself or on behalf of a group (community group, staff team or school), please contact parentworkshops@nspcc.org.uk for advice on keeping your children safe online. There are also useful tips created in partnership between NSPCC and O2 at www.net-aware.org.uk/news/new-devices and www.net-aware.org.uk/news/five-online-safety-tips-from-five-experts/.
We know that home might not always be the safest place for children, and increased pressures on families during the pandemic has caused a greater risk of harm to them.
We need to ensure vulnerable children are protected – whether that is by them continuing to attend school, or staying in contact with teachers, schools, services and other adults who can help them.
And we can all do our part.
More people are working from home and seeing or hearing things which raise concerns about the safety of young people, and while it might feel awkward to pick up the phone and report those concerns, it’s the right thing to do.
We mustn’t let children suffer in silence, and we can all do our part to support children who need our help.
If you have any concerns about the wellbeing of a child, phone the NSPCC helpline on 0808 8005000 or email help@nspcc.org.uk. Children can contact Childline on 0800 1111. Further resources, advice and information are available at www.nspcc.org.uk and www.childline.org.uk.