Latest news with #ShaunFriel
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
'I Want To Tell My Parents I'm Bisexual, But I'm Scared Of What They'll Think'
Children and teens are increasingly turning to Childline for advice and support on coming out to their parents. Between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025, the NSPCC-led service said it delivered 2,411 counselling sessions on the topic of sexuality and gender identity. Over 40% of these counselling sessions focused on coming out, with many young people expressing their anxieties around being judged over their sexuality. Young people revealed to counsellors they're worried about their parents' reactions and being alienated from friendship groups as a result of coming out. One boy, aged 16, said: 'I want to tell my parents I'm bisexual but I'm scared of what they'll think. They come from a strict background, and I've seen them judging others for being gay. 'We're close but they don't have a clue about me. I don't want to disappoint them, I just want to be accepted for who I am.' According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the most recent data suggests around one in 10 (10.4%) young people aged 16 to 24 years old identifies as lesbian, gay or bisexual (LGB). An NSPCC spokesperson confirmed to HuffPost UK there was a 4% increase in the number of counselling sessions focused on coming out last year, compared to the year before. Shaun Friel, Childline's director, said coming out 'remains one of the main subjects that young people want to discuss' when contacting Childline about their sexuality or gender identity. 'It is a privilege that young people turn to the service to help them navigate a pivotal and potentially difficult moment in their lives,' he said. 'This Pride Month, I want to remind all young people that Childline is here to provide a safe, confidential space where they can discuss their feelings and concerns freely.' The most important thing you can do when your child decides to come out to you is listen and not judge. As experts at NSPCC said: 'Listening can be a great way to show them that you care and help them to feel accepted. Try to let them talk at their own pace, and ask open questions without interrupting. 'If they don't want to continue the conversation, let them know that you're there for them if they want to talk again at a different time.' If you think your child might be questioning their sexuality, don't try to pressure them into talking to you about it. The charity advises simply creating a supportive environment at home, giving them space to share their feelings. This means when they do decide they want to open up, they know it's a safe space. If your child does come out to you, Jennifer Warwick, a BACP-registered counsellor, advised letting them know 'how glad and proud you are that they have come to you with this'. She also told parents to reassure their children 'that they have done the right thing in telling you'. 'Be clear that this will not in any way change how much you love them,' she told Counselling Directory. Some parents might be quick to dismiss their child's news as a 'phase', which experts strongly warn against doing. As Warwick explained: 'They have almost certainly thought long and hard about their gender identity or sexuality – let them know that you are taking them seriously.' If your child wants to come out to other people – whether that's friends or family members – parents can offer to support them. It might help to ask if there's anything you can do to make it easier for them. For example, letting certain family members know. Parents might feel a bit confused about what to do after their child has come out – and they might also have concerns. One parent revealed to YoungMinds how she didn't want to bring it up again in case her son didn't want to talk about it, but also didn't want it to seem like she didn't care. The NSPCC said parents might also be worried that being LGBTQ+ will make things harder for their child, or have concerns about them being bullied or other people reacting negatively to them coming out. It can help to do your research, as well as find support for yourselves as parents (if needed). As Warwick said: 'You might feel confused, sad or worried about them. Don't forget that you can talk about this with friends, other parents or carers and, of course, with a counsellor.' But, of course, it's crucial to respect your child's privacy and confidentiality when doing so. Young people can contact Childline on 0800 1111 or via where they can speak to a trained counsellor about any concerns they may have. The Childline website also has advice and support around sexuality and gender identity for young people. (LLGS) is a free confidential support & information helpline for LGBT communities throughout the UK | 0300 330 0630 is a free support, information and referral service for the Manchester and North-West area | 0161 235 8000 for more information on other LGBT services and helplines | 08000 502020 supports anyone affected by gender identity | 01527 894 838 offers information, support, friendship and shared experiences for young people with gender identity issues | 0208 1234819 is the largest youth and community-based organisation for LGBT people in Scotland. Text 07786 202 370 provides information for trans people, their families and professionals who care for them | 01372 801554 provides support, advice and information for anyone who knows, or is related to, a transsexual person in the UK I Hated School – Then Teachers Made An Observation That Changed My Life 'My Husband Is A Grouchy Dad And It's Exhausting. What Can I Do?' Why Are UK Teens Among World's Unhappiest? We Asked Them
The Independent
13-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
‘Punching walls' and ‘shouting': Inside the worrying rise of children reporting anger issues
Thousands of children and young people are increasingly turning to Childline for help with anger issues, new data reveals. Data from children's charity NSPCC, who run the helpline, reveals that they have delivered nearly 3,000 counselling sessions about anger management issues to children in the past year. The problem is on the rise, with the helpline seeing a six per cent increase in these support sessions compared to the year before. Children and young people are increasingly struggling to manage and control their emotions, the NSPCC said. One 15-year-old boy who approached Childline for help had been punching the wall repeatedly. He said that he had to stop because it was 'messing up my knuckles', but that it was a response to everyone in his house shouting and arguing. He told the service that the noise was too much and he struggled to know how to respond. When his mother tried to ask how he was, he would lie so that he didn't create further arguments. A girl, aged nine, got in touch to share that she felt angry all of the time. She said shouting was a regular way that she would express herself and she felt she was only listened to if she shouted. The charity said that children were often struggling with how to regulate their emotions during challenging situations, and others are aggressively criticising themselves. Among the topics of mental health concern that children phone Childline about, anger issues were ranked tenth for girls and sixth for boys. Shaun Friel, director of Childline, said: 'The fact that children are reaching out for help about their anger issues reflects the growing emotional challenges young people face in today's complex world. 'We're seeing firsthand how pressures at home, school, online and in communities are affecting children's ability to manage and deal with difficult emotions'. The research comes after teachers warned that young children are increasingly starting primary school struggling to communicate. Teachers said they had been noticing declining school preparedness in young children since the pandemic, with some unable to answer to their own names or go to the toilet by themselves. A YouGov survey of over 1,000 teachers found that educators blamed lack of conversation with parents and family as a driver for this decline, with 58 per cent listing this as a factor.
Pembrokeshire Herald
12-05-2025
- Health
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Children in Wales turn to Childline for help with anger
Counsellors deal with nearly 3,000 cases as NSPCC highlights growing concern during Mental Health Awareness Week NEARLY 3,000 children and young people across the UK have sought help from Childline over the past year due to problems managing anger – with Welsh children among those reaching out. The NSPCC has revealed that the service delivered 2,895 counselling sessions on anger, marking a 6% rise on the previous year and pushing the issue into the top ten mental health concerns for children of all genders. The rise reflects increasing pressure on young people at school, at home, online and in their communities — including in Pembrokeshire — as they struggle to manage intense emotions. A 14-year-old girl from Wales told Childline: 'When I get really mad, I throw things, break things, shout, swear. I scare myself honestly, but it's hard to find things that work to calm me down. Childline helps, but only when I haven't broken my phone in anger.' Another young caller from Wales said: 'My friend massively embarrassed me in front of this girl I like. I'm so angry, all I want to do is hit him, even though I know that's not the best way to deal with it.' The charity says more children are also becoming self-critical and feel that shouting is the only way they will be listened to. Shaun Friel, Director of Childline, said: 'We are seeing firsthand how pressures in young people's lives are making it harder for them to manage their feelings. This Mental Health Awareness Week, we're urging children to seek help early and reminding them that our counsellors are here to support them.' In response to the growing problem, Childline has teamed up with Place2Be, a children's mental health charity, to provide advice for both young people and parents on dealing with anger in a healthy way. Children are encouraged to talk to someone they trust, express themselves through creativity or sport, and build their own 'feel-good' toolkit for when things feel overwhelming. Dr Rebecca Kirkbride, Clinical Director at Place2Be, said: 'We need to give children the tools and space to process emotions safely. Anger is often a sign of deeper distress – not bad behaviour.' Children can contact Childline at 0800 1111 or visit Adults concerned about a child's wellbeing can call the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000.
Wales Online
11-05-2025
- Health
- Wales Online
The youngsters desperate for help as anger problems on the rise
The youngsters desperate for help as anger problems on the rise One 14-year-old girl from Wales said: "When I get really mad, I throw things, break things, shout, swear. I scare myself honestly" A growing number of youngsters have sought support from Childline for anger issues over the past year. (Image: Getty Images/Martin Dimitrov ) A growing number of youngsters have sought support from Childline for anger issues over the past year. New data shows the helpline, which is run by the NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children), delivered close to 3,000 counselling sessions about the issue, online and over the phone — a 6% increase on the previous 12 months. The rise in contact on the topic has made anger issues a top ten mental health concern for both genders contacting the service. This data gives insight into a generation increasingly struggling to manage and control their emotions in the face of a range of pressures at home, school and online. A boy of secondary school age in Wales said: 'My friend massively embarrassed me in front of this girl I like. I'm so angry about it, all I want to do is hit him even though I know that's not the best way to deal with it. I need someone to talk me out of it or take this anger away.' A 14-year-old girl from Wales said: 'When I get really mad, I throw things, break things, shout, swear. I scare myself honestly but it's so hard to find things that actually work to calm me down. Childline helps, but only when I haven't broken my phone in anger.' Counselling sessions delivered by Childline reveal several recurring themes when children are discussing anger. Some are struggling with regulating their emotions during challenging situations and often experience frustration with parents and peers following disagreements. Others share that they are aggressively criticising themselves. One nine-year-old girl told Childline: "I feel so angry all the time, shouting is just how I express myself. When my parents shout at me, I shout back. They tell me to talk in arguments and tell people how I feel but no one cares, no one listens unless I shout." Article continues below Childline director Shaun Friel said: 'The fact that children are reaching out for help about their anger issues reflects the growing emotional challenges young people face in today's complex world. "At Childline, we're seeing first-hand how pressures at home, school, online and in communities are affecting children's ability to manage and deal with difficult emotions. 'This Mental Health Awareness Week, we want to emphasise how crucial it is for children to learn healthy ways to process and express their feelings. We are also reminding young people that our counsellors are here to provide that safe space and can help them to learn vital skills for their wellbeing." The service has been working with children's mental health charity, Place2Be, to advise on looking after mental wellbeing. Their tips include talking to someone you trust; finding healthy outlets, like physical activities and creative expression, for emotions; and taking care of your body with regular sleep, a healthy diet and exercise. Dr Rebecca Kirkbride, clinical director at Place2Be, said: "At Place2Be, we know that learning to express and process emotions healthily during childhood builds resilience and establishes positive coping mechanisms that serve young people throughout their lives. "The rise in children seeking support for issues related to anger, as highlighted by Childline's data, demonstrates the importance of early intervention and teaching children healthy ways to process emotions. Article continues below 'By creating safe spaces where young people feel heard and validated, we can help them develop the emotional vocabulary and self-regulation skills needed to navigate complex feelings, without expressing feelings through angry or aggressive behaviour — which may have implications for themselves or others around them.'
Daily Mail
11-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Rise in anger issues among children blamed on 'growing emotional challenges' including social media
Childline is reporting a rise in the number of callers with 'anger issues' amid 'growing emotional challenges' among youngsters today. The charity said it provided 2,895 counselling sessions for children with anger in 2024/25, a six per cent increase on the previous year. Anger issues ranked among the top ten mental health concerns reported by children contacting the service – among boys it was sixth and among girls it was tenth. Reoccurring themes in the counselling sessions included anger at parents and friends, while many young people also felt anger at themselves. The charity said many were engaged in 'negative self-talk', for example, wishing they were 'smarter, less useless, less ugly'. It is thought increased time on social media may be a contributor to youth anger, due to online bullying and a lack of interactions in the real world. Pressures on family finances from the rising cost of living and exam stress are also sources of anger. One boy, aged 15, told Childline: 'For months I've been struggling with my anger. 'I started punching the wall, but I had to stop because it was messing up my knuckles.' Meanwhile, a girl aged nine, said: 'I feel so angry all the time, shouting is just how I express myself.' Shaun Friel, Childline director, said: 'The fact that children are reaching out for help about their anger issues reflects the growing emotional challenges young people face in today's complex world. 'At Childline, we're seeing firsthand how pressures at home, school, online and in communities are affecting children's ability to manage and deal with difficult emotions.' The charity warned parents to look for signs of 'emotional struggles', such as shifts in sleeping patterns, appetite, social withdrawal, or increased irritability. It said families should 'normalise seeking help' by 'talking positively about therapy, counselling and support services'.
