Last year, NSPCCs 25-year-old ChildLine launched an online version of its call-centre service.

Children who wanted to get in touch about a range of serious issues could now write an email, send a text, or start a live web chat with a volunteer counsellor.

The launch proved incredibly popular, with 60% of ChildLine’s counselling now taking place online.

ChildLine has been supporting struggling children since 1986 and since then, has spread to 150 countries and helped 2.6 million children.

The charity deals with all issues from parental divorce to abuse, cyber bullying and suicide.

ChildLine has taken care to keep up with the rapidly developing technologies and methods of communication in order to always be available for children who need support.

The NSPCC is keen to invest its energy into developing links with technology experts Genseys and its implementation partner ProtCall One.

Sue Minto, head of ChildLine, said: “By developing our online service we can reach out to more of these very troubled children who are struggling to cope with complex problems that are blighting their lives, and may not have contacted us without this new service.”

Research shows that children are now three times more likely to discuss self-harm through online chat or email as opposed speaking on the telephone.

Many counsellors listed on our directory offer long-distance services, including telephone calls, video calls and email. To contact a counsellor, please follow the link to our search facility.

View and comment on the original Call Centre Clinic article. 

The drugs in question are selective serotonin uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and are frequently prescribed to elderly patients who suffer from dementia.

The study, which was conducted by researchers from the Erasmus University Medical Center in Rotterdam – recorded the daily drug use and number of falls in 248 nursing home residents over a two-year period.

The results of the study suggested that 152 of the patients had suffered a total of 683 falls, some of which had extreme consequences. 220 falls resulted in injuries, including broken bones and hip fractures.

More research is needed in order to establish why the anti-depressant is having this effect on dementia patients, and the Alzheimer’s Society has also called for more research into alternative treatments.

The results of the study showed that the risk of falls was calculated to be three times higher for individuals taking SSRIs than for care home patients not taking the drug – a considerably higher risk especially considering that many of these patients are also on sedative drugs at the same time.

Until more research has been undertaken and a link has been uncovered between SSRIs and an increased risk of falls, experts are recommending that the increased risk be taken into account when the elderly are being assessed to see whether the anti-depressants need to be prescribed.

Researcher Dr Carolyn Sterke said “Physicians should be cautious in prescribing SSRIs to older people with dementia, even at low doses.”

Professor Clive Ballard, from the Alzheimer’s Society, added: “More research is now needed to understand why this anti-depressant is having this effect on people with dementia and if there is an alternative treatment for depression that they could be prescribed”.

Counselling is a natural and side effect free tool for treating depression. If you would like to find out more, please visit our fact-sheet on counselling for depression.

View and comment on the original BBC News article.

Mental health charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness have launched a media campaign designed to take away some of the fear and awkwardness that still surrounds the subject.

‘It’s Time to Talk, Time to Change’ will consist of three radio ads created by renowned advertising agency Dare.

Dare has an impressive resume, having worked successfully with Hovis, Virgin and EA Games among other prestigious brands. The radio adverts, one of which will star Sophie Chapman from the Peep Show, will be played across Kiss, Capital and Heart FM.

The campaign will also run in print form throughout The Sun and the Metro, featuring comic strips designed by The Times and Spectator illustrator Steven Collins.

A TV advert run in 2011 will also be circulated again this year.

Sue Baker, director at Time to Change, said: “Through the use of subtle humour in our advertising, we hope we can remove the awkwardness and fear that stops many people talking about mental health.”

Along with radio and paper adverts, the campaign has its own website featuring tips on how to breech the subject of mental health. It will also give the option to send an e-card to your loved one, showing them you are thinking of them during their illness.

“Time to Talk, Time to Change’ is funded by Comic Relief and the Department of Health. By reaching the public through humour, the charities aim to fully remove the stigma that currently surrounds mental health in the hope that it will encourage people to open up and accept their conditions.

If you are suffering from a mental health problem and would like to talk about it, you may benefit from counselling. To find out more about the services counsellors offer, please visit our Types of Distress page. To locate a counsellor near you, please use our search tool.

View and comment on the original Campaign Live article.

A mental health trust in Sussex has today released advice for those struggling to cope with the start of the new year.

2011 was a difficult year for Britain, with widespread financial instability, redundancies, service cuts, mounting debts, fee increases and riots.

Lisa Rodrigues, chief executive of the Sussex Partnership HNS Trust, has recognised that life is tough for everyone, but especially for those suffering hardship.

Rodrigues said: “mental health services can’t make people’s lives easier, but they can help people to cope with what life brings, however hard it may be.”

Her tips for people who want to improve their mental health in these troubling times are as follows:

1. Keep active – exercise really does noticeably change the way you feel by releasing certain feel-good hormones. Not only does it make you happier, it keeps your body looking healthy and working properly. It can also help people suffering from serious mental illnesses such as psychosis.

2. Eat well – research has revealed significant links between eating plenty of fruit, vegetables and protein, with an improvement in mental health. Diet is important – you will notice that if you eat junk food, you feel worse even if you enjoyed it at the time.

3. Sleep well – try to go to bed at a reasonable time, allowing you to have 6-8 hours of sleep at night. Relax before bed – don’t work at the computer, play games, watch TV or drink caffeine before sleeping as these activities act as stimulants and will keep your brain awake.

4. Don’t drink too much – we all enjoy a drink every now and then, but moderation is essential. If you are feeling low, alcohol will act as a depressant and make you feel even worse. Find another way to distract yourself, like immersing yourself in a book or a film.

5. Keep a social life – sometimes it is an effort to socialise when you don’t feel like it. Forcing yourself to get out and keep in touch with family and friends is important and will make you feel better.

6. Talk about it – if you think you might need professional help, don’t be afraid to seek it. Admitting to a problem is the first step towards fighting it. We all feel sad sometimes, but if the feeling won’t go then you may benefit from some external advice or treatment.

7. Go outside – fresh air really is medicine. Going for a walk in the park or by the sea can do wonders for your mind. It will replenish your oxygen supplies, heighten your senses and maybe even take your mind off things.

8. Think of 3 good things – when things are particularly tough and you struggle to find any positive aspects to your life, force yourself to write 3 good things down. This can involve even the smallest achievement or event – from getting out of bed, to someone smiling at you in the street. Reading back at the end of the week will make you realise that not all is bad.

9. Help someone – sometimes all we need is to feel a little compassion. Doing something good for someone not only spreads goodwill, it also makes you feel better. Human beings are social creatures – it makes sense that helping each other makes us happy.

To find out more about how talking to a counsellor could help you,  please browse our Types of Distress section, or find a counsellor using our search tool. 

View and comment on the original The Argus article.

With Christmas only a few days away, most people’s thoughts will be on turkey collections, last minute shopping and present wrapping to ensure the Big Day runs as smoothly as possible.

For the charities Lifeline, Samaritans and Childline, however, all thoughts will be on the many people across Britain who will not be enjoying Christmas this year.

“Christmas is a very happy time but, for some of us, it can be a time of loneliness and isolation,” said Suzanne Costello, director of Samaritans Ireland.

Samaritans offers a 24 hour phone-line for those who simply need someone to talk to about their distress. Samaritan volunteers will listen to any caller unconditionally, offering support and guidance whenever asked.

Samaritans, along with Lifeline and Childline,  are staying open throughout the festive period. Volunteers are expecting to deal with up to 8,000 calls for help over Christmas.

Lifeline lets you speak directly to qualified crisis counsellors who also offer up to six free face-to-face sessions at a location convenient to you.

NSPCC’s Childline too relies heavily on the kindness of volunteers. They will be giving up part of their Christmas holiday to be there for children who need help with bullying, abuse or family relationship issues.

Christmas can be a difficult time for many of us. Charity counsellors are always there to help those most in need.

If you feel that you have issues you need to address over a longer period of time, you can use our directory to locate a qualified counsellor near you.

For the charity phone numbers and to view or comment on the original article, visit UTV. 

Clarkson recently stirred anger amongst the public after his comments on the BBC’s The One Show suggesting that public sector strikers should be ”shot in front of their families” generated 21,000 complaints.

Earlier on this month Clarkson caused further outrage after writing in a newspaper column that people who kill themselves on railways are ”selfish”, as in the words of the TV presenter they cause ”immense” disruption among commuters. Clarkson went on to say:

“Every year around 200 people decide that the best way to go is by hurling themselves in front of a speeding train. In some ways they are right. This method has a 90% success rate and it’s extremely quick.

“However, it is a very selfish way to go because the disruption it causes is immense. And think what it’s like for the poor train driver who sees you lying on the line and can do absolutely nothing to avoid a collision.”

Mental health charities have condemned Clarkson for his stance, describing his comments as ”extraordinarily tasteless”.

Chief Executive of leading mental health charity Mind, Paul Farmer, said: “I think there will be many people who have lost loved ones to suicide and people who have contemplated suicide that will think it in extremely bad taste.

“It stands out like a sore thumb from what is increasingly a more supportive approach to suicide by the media. People will feel like he is trivialising the subject and dismissing people who have taken their own lives. I think it’s extraordinarily tasteless. This is a man who really doesn’t understand what he is talking about.”

Later on in his column, Clarkson referred to individuals who jumped in front of trains as “Johnny Suicide”, and revealed that he thought trains should continue on their journeys as soon as possible – leaving body parts for foraging animals.

Chief Executive of mental health charity Sane, Marjorie Wallace has said that Clarkson has obviously never experienced the mental anguish that could lead people to such acts.

If you or someone you know are feeling emotionally vulnerable then it is important that you seek professional help and advice as soon as possible. Visit your GP who will be able to provide you with support and advice about the most appropriate action.

Talk therapies have long since been used as a method for addressing emotional and psychological issues and if you would like to find out more about how a counsellor could help you, please visit our ‘Types of Distress’ page for information about the various areas of counselling.

If you do not feel comfortable talking to an individual in person about your problems then Samaritans run a 24-hour help line and also offer email support. Visit the Samaritans website to find out more.

View and comment on the original Guardian article. 

The phone line promptly puts those in need in touch with a professional clinician who will be able to offer them advice over the phone – a huge benefit for those wishing to remain anonymous and anyone pushed for time.

The idea is that anyone who feels that they need advice regarding a personal problem is able to leave their details on the dedicated phone line and a counsellor, therapist or another appropriate professional will get back in touch with them on the same day with advice or a referral recommendation.

According to clinical psychologist Dr Jim White, the phoneline is a viable alternative to face-to face appointments with a clinician and about 50 per cent of individuals choose to use it as it is easy and convenient.

Dr White has said that he believes the service works so well because individuals are called back within just nine hours and are then either helped or referred on quickly, making them feel more positive and motivated about attending future appointments.

If you are interested in counselling but would prefer to remain anonymous, please use our advanced search tool to find a counsellor offering online, email or telephone support.

View and comment on the original BBC News article.

A ten-year-old child, born as a boy, has returned from the summer holidays dressed as a little girl.

The child has been diagnosed with gender dysphoria, a condition that means an individual believes they are not the gender they were born with.

The child’s mother has explained to the press that, growing up, her daughter always felt uncomfortable dressing in boy’s clothes because she had a girl’s mind trapped in a boy’s body.

Before the summer holidays, other children knew their classmate as ‘him’. When they returned to school, they were gathered in an assembly and told that their friend has become a girl, and that they must now refer to him as ‘her’.

Relatives and teachers have praised the child for revealing the new look to her classmates, despite having apparently suffered verbal abuse and bullying at the hands of some outraged parents.

Sex change surgery is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 but the youngster already plans to start taking hormone tablets before puberty. The hormones will help counter the effects of puberty by restricting hair growth, aiding the development of hips and breasts and preventing the voice from breaking.

Her mother said: “It’s going to be a hard school life for us and for her as well. But she is a strong person and I’m sure we will get through it as a family. The other pupils have been little stars who have accepted my daughter into the fold.”

The school fully supports the pupil’s extraordinary decision and has allowed her to dress in the female version of the school uniform. Some parents, however, are unhappy with the decision and have since lodged complaints.

15,000 people in the UK have gender dysphoria. If you or someone you care about has this condition and you would like help and guidance, you may wish to speak with a counsellor. A counsellor can take you through every single stage of gender transformation, from the initial surgery to the time spent recovering and adjusting afterwards. Visit the Counselling Directory to find a counsellor dealing with gender dysphoria near you.

View the original Metro article here.

A centre that is designed to offer women counselling advice and training courses could be opened in Ramsbottom, Bury. The founder of Graceful Oaks, Joanna Shea has been looking for a base in the town to open up the facility, which is to be run mainly by volunteers.

The aim is to provide free imaginative therapy and support for women locally, which will help them to deal with difficulties they face in everyday life. Mrs Shea said, “I hope to create a place where women can come with any problem they have and if we cannot help them we will show them to people who can. Domestic violence is one of the first things people think of when they think of a women’s centre but we do not just want it to be about that.”

Talking and being taken notice of can be an extremely healing process for women, particularly in a society that expects them to be the listener and carer. Being able to talk about the problems and issues that are going on in their life can help them to understand more fully their roles, beliefs, thoughts, feelings and behaviours. This process can lead to women feeling far more empowered and have a greater self-acceptance in the decisions they make in their various relationships with family or friends.  

Mrs Shea is currently volunteering at a women’s centre in Accrington to develop her skills and ideas in order to bring them to Ramsbottom. Women attending the new centre will be offered job and computer training, support with CV’s and self-confidence boosting programmes. It is hoped the centre will eventually employ a small number of counsellors and trainers but until this time will rely on volunteers.

View the original Bury Times article here.

A proposal to remove abortion providers of their role in counselling women has been heavily defeated in the House of Commons after a split emerged between the original campaigners of the amendment.

MP’s voted by a majority of 250 to rebuff the amendment by Conservative backbencher Nadine Dorries after her co-sponsor, Labour MP Frank Field, withdrew his support.

Three cabinet members, Iain Duncan-Smith, Liam Fox and Owen Paterson supported the amendment, but original co-campaigner Field, removed his support after health minister Anne Milton said that the government would try to implement the spirit of Nadine Dorries’ proposal.

Dorries claimed that Milton’s undertaking of her suggestion was a victory, saying, “We lost the battle but we have won the war.”

If the amendment had been voted through, it would have stripped non-statutory abortion providers, such as the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (bpas) and Marie Stopes, from offering a counselling service to women. It was hoped this would increase greater opportunities for independent counsellors, some of which are influenced by pro-life groups, to supply counselling. This would not have affected NHS abortion providers, who would have been able to carry on offering free counselling.

Chief Executive of the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, Ann Furedi, welcomed the defeat. She said, “Bpas is pleased to see Nadine Dorries’ amendment so overwhelmingly rejected. We look forward to being able to focus our efforts on issues which pose a genuine problem for women considering ending a pregnancy.”

However, Dorries remained defiant, insisting, “It must be wrong that the abortion provider, who is paid to the tune of £60m to carry out terminations, should also provide the counselling if a women feels strong or brave enough to ask for it. If an organisation is paid that much for abortions, where is the incentive to reduce them?”

View the original Guardian article here.