KIDS BEING STRIPPED OF ALL JOY
Grim toll on mental health
CHILDREN are having suicidal thoughts because of the cost of living crisis, a report found.
Britain is facing a “humanitarian crisis on our doorsteps” with children self-harming and unable to sleep because of money worries.
Child poverty charity The Childhood Trust has today released a 33-page report into the effect the crisis is having on disadvantaged youngsters.
They are warning millions of children are at breaking point.
One little girl said she watches telly to try to forget her hunger. Laura, seven, of London, said: “I ask my mother if we’ve any food and she’ll tell me if there’s enough money.
“If there isn’t then I just go in the cupboards and see if there’s something. If there’s a snack, I’ll eat it and try to go to bed. Tomorrow she might have more money.”
Another girl said: “My mum was trying to pay for the electricity and we didn’t really have enough. I felt
I was sad and scared, the heater wasn’t working
UNNAMED GIRL NO CASH FOR ELECTRICITY
really sad. It was really cold and I was really scared because the heater wasn’t working.”
The research involved 1,468 parents, with half saying their kids are stressed, and a fifth saying they smile less now.
Nearly one in 10 children have started self-harming and 8% have displayed suicidal tendencies. The Childhood Trust is aiming to raise £3.5million to help those in need.
Chief executive Laurence Guinness said: “It’s only thanks to donors and the thousands of charities supporting children that we aren’t facing a humanitarian crisis on our own doorsteps.”
■ Donate at: championsforchildren.childhoodtrust.org.uk/kt5