Kids Helpline struggling to deal with disturbing rise in suicidal Queensland children

Kids Helpline is dealing with a disturbing increase in the number of suicidal Queensland children reaching out for help.

There has been a disturbing rise in suicidal Queensland children sending out an SOS to the Kids Helpline.

In the last six months there has been a 38 per cent rise in suicide attempt interventions in children and young people aged five to 25 across the country.

“Queensland has had an increase of 46 per cent in duty of care interventions enacted by Kids Helpline on behalf of children and young people for the period December 1 to May 31 this year versus the same period a year ago,” yourtown chief executive Tracy Adams said.

Kids Helpline, a service of yourtown, has announced that duty of care interventions were 99 per cent higher nationally in the last six months compared to the same period a year ago.

The escalation over the past six months is largely related to suicide attempts (38 per cent) and child abuse (35 per cent).

“Since the pandemic, Kids Helpline has employed an additional 100 counsellors to assist in dealing with the increased demand on Kids Helpline counselling service, through funding support from the Commonwealth, State Governments and Community,” Ms Adams said.

“We know that prevention and early intervention can reduce the impact of mental health issues, so now more than ever we encourage children and young people who want to talk to someone about any issue of concern to them, to contact Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week or use email or web counselling services.”