Sep 27 - Childline Hosts Training Session Following Rise In Suicide And Self-Harm Calls
Two NSPCC trainers were in Gibraltar this week delivering workshops following an increase in the number of calls received by Childine Gibraltar volunteers from young people with mental health issues.
Between 2015-16, 19 young people contacted Childline to talk about suicidal thoughts and 65 callers reported self-harm.
Igor Vidovic and Eleni Kypridemos were invited by Childline to speak to the charity’s volunteers and representatives from other organisations in order to increase awareness of these topics and discuss how best to deal with these challenging calls.
Although the causes behind the rise in such calls are multiple, Childline’s Chairperson Jo Abergel said that children are facing new pressures from social media.
Jo said: “The advance of technology has a huge price to pay, especially the rise of social media. I think information is also a lot more accessible so issues like self-harm are much more out in the open now. […] Body image has also become very important for young people.”
Young people can contact Childline Gibraltar on Freephone 8008.
The visit was sponsored by the Parasol Foundation Trust.
Pic L to R: Igor Vidovic, Jo Abergel and Eleni Kypridemos
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