COMMENT: Why now, more than ever, it’s good to talk

Childline can offer support for those with children displaying signs of mental illness.

World Mental Health Day was the focus on Saturday, but, in truth, it has to be a focus all year round.

The demands on our NHS at the height of the pandemic saw a more than 30% drop in referrals to mental health services.

As the lockdown eased so a rise in people reporting severe mental health difficulties rose.

Once again, the pandemic may see our eyes averted to the problems under our very noses.

And, as we are learning to our cost, if you leave problems like this, they just get worse.

While attention is usually focused on the adults, it’s important to remember that children are just a susceptible to mental health problems.

Our ChildLine Expert column today offers some useful pointers in spotting the tell-tale signs of issues in children.

There are many different types of mental health issues, but some have overlapping symptoms. They can involve changes in mood, difficulty with concentration.

The advice to parents is to to open up conversations with their children about how they are coping. If they are struggling, try to let them know that it’s not their fault and that there is support for them.

It’s advice that is not exclusive to children. In these troubled times, it’s important for everyone to talk.