Teens join mental health helpline

TEENAGERS are being trained as volunteer mental health first aiders to help other young people cope with the effects of the coronavirus lockdown.

Alongside a crisis line for all ages, Unlock Your You provides support for 13 to 19-year-olds.

Founder Stuart Newton, from Merseyside, said: “With the Covid-19 crisis we’ve seen more and more young people take their lives.A lot more children have suffered with their mental health because they are off school and not being educated.

“So we thought, more people will be needing support but how do we go about this in a different way?”

Helplines and counselling services reported a significant rise in demand since the lockdown started on March 23. And a Barnardo’s poll of eight to 24-year-olds found more than a third suffered worse mental health and wellbeing.

An online YouGov survey for the charity between May 15 and June 2 found 41 per cent felt lonely; 38 per cent worried; 37 per cent felt sad and 34 per cent were stressed.

Visit unlockyouryou.com or call helpline 0800 994 9116.