Anxiety in children is ‘a growing problem’

THE number of Welsh children receiving help for anxiety has risen by more than half, according to the NSPCC.

The children’s charity has warned about the “dehabilitating” impact of anxiety on children, with growing numbers of young people suffering from panic attacks.

Over the past two years, 900 counselling sessions were carried out by the Childline helpline for people suffering anxiety in Wales – a rise of 55%.

A total of 527 sessions were given in 2016/17 compared to 340 in 2015/16.

But with many declining to reveal where they are from, the true number of children suffering from anxiety in Wales is likely to be higher.

During some counselling sessions children identified the cause of their concerns including starting a new school, moving to an area or upcoming exams.

Others reported having trouble getting help, with some parents dismissing anxiety as an “overreaction” or “passing phase”.

Across the UK, 13,746 counselling sessions were carried out for young people, at an average of 38 per day.

With an increase of 59% over the last two years, the NSPCC has stressed the importance of children being able to speak about their feelings to a parent or trusted adult.

Of those who called for help, more than 3,000 children talked about having panic attacks which made them feel trapped, faint and struggling to breathe.

The NSPCC is urging parents to help manage their children’s anxiety though a number of techniques.

These include finding ways to help them use breathing exercises to relax and encouraging young people to exercise and live healthily.

Des Mannion, head of NSPCC Cymru/Wales, said: “Anxiety is a growing problem in young people’s lives today – and it is not going away.

“We all need to help children and teenagers find ways to cope with their anxious feelings and not to dismiss them as an overreaction.

“One of the most important ways to help those who are struggling is to make sure they know they always have someone to talk to and they never have to suffer alone, which is why Childline is so vital.”

One 16-year-old girl, who did not want to be identified, said: “Recently I’ve been feeling anxious and the smallest things make me feel scared.

“I don’t understand because nothing has happened to trigger it. I’ve just been feeling worse and worse lately.

“It’s got to the point where I’ve felt so overwhelmed that I just want to run away from it all.”

Currently Childline volunteers can only answer three out of every four calls for help.

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