MENTAL health may be less of a taboo subject than in previous decades, but many of us struggle silently, including young people.

World Mental Health Day, earlier this month, was a reminder to support each other and be kind. Mental health still remains the top concern for our counsellors at Childline and we want all children to know they can reach out to us if they need support. The counsellors speak to children and young people every day who are struggling with their mental health. Over the last year more than half our counselling sessions focused on this topic. Overall, 99,179 sessions with young people focused on mental and emotional health and wellbeing, an average of 272 sessions a day.

A 14-year-old boy who contacted Childline said: “For the last few weeks, I’ve felt my mental state getting worse. As soon as I’m alone in my room the thoughts start; I’m unwanted, I’m not normal, there’s no point doing anything. I feel so trapped by these thoughts.”

Prolonged mental health issues can have a long-term impact, but with the right help this can be prevented. This is why the NSPCC is calling for the government to commit to funding and delivering Mental Health Support Teams across schools and colleges. We will continue to fight for more to be done for children and we’re here to support parents and carers who may be unsure about how they can help a child. There are a range of things any adult wanting to support a young person could do and our Helpline is here to support you if you have questions.

The Childline website also provides support to young people on the advice pages or resources such as Art Box, a space for children to write or draw about their feelings. Children can also use the Calm Zone, an area of the website with tools and mechanisms to help young people cope. Drawing or writing can be a helpful way for children to process their emotions, as it can enable them to express themselves and make sense of their situation.

Mental health concerns can spark feelings of loneliness sometimes too and that’s why our message boards on the website might be a helpful platform for young people too. Sometimes a problem shared is a problem halved; they can speak to peers about any subject that’s upsetting them in a safe, moderated environment.

If a young person feels they have a network of support, whether in school, with their peers, at home or through organisations like Childline, it helps them take the first steps to tackling these struggles and can set a course for a more positive future. Childline will always be a safe place for anyone under the age of 19 to turn to if they need help.

* Our phone service is free, confidential and open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and can be reached on 0800 1111 or childline.org.uk. Children and young people can use our one-to-one chat service.