MP backs NSPCC campaign to support Childline

MP FAISAL Rashid has backed the NSPCC’s “Are You There?” campaign, which calls on the Government to help the Childline service to be available for every child.
Childline offers a lifeline to children, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and last year provided almost 300,000 counselling sessions to children in need.
One in three of these contacts related to mental health and emotional wellbeing, and more than 22,000 were instances where children had contacted the charity feeling suicidal.
But the Warrington South MP says, right now, Childline counsellors can only respond to three out of four children who need help.
Mr Rashid said: “One in 10 children has sme form of mental health condition, and while the Government has pledged to make sure these children get the right support early on, the NSPCC’s campaign aims to make sure help is there whenever it is needed.”
The campaign calls on the Government to recognise the increasingly important role that Childline plays in providing early mental health support to children and young people across the country.
Mr Rashid added: “Childline plays a key role in supporting children and young people with mental health issues and with the right support from the Government it can reach even more children who are struggling.
“When children and young people take the brave step to contact mental health support, it should be available to them at any time of the day. “That is why I am supporting the NSPCC’s ‘Are You There?’ campaign calling on the Government to ensure Childline services are available for every child, at any time.”