Boys cry
Friday 31 July 2009
A record number of boys have called ChildLine in the past year to talk about different issues that are affecting their lives.
New report
According to ChildLine, around 58,000 boys called their counselling service between April 2007 and March 2008 – more than double the amount that looked for help just five years ago.
The most common issue that came up was bullying, followed by other matters like physical abuse, family problems, sexuality, loneliness and issues about growing up.
Check out this Q&A with a ChildLine expert.
Is it happening to you?
In the past, more girls than boys used to call ChildLine. These days however, fewer boys feel like they have a ‘reputation’ to protect and are willing to open up. Around one in three of all calls ChildLine receives are now from boys.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re a boy or a girl. If you need help and support then make sure you speak up.
Face the problem
Some people who face problems in their life may be in denial - they try to pretend the issues are not really happening. However one of the first steps in tackling a problem is admitting that it’s happening in the first place.
Some problems come with stereotypes - many people think that these only happen either to girls or to boys. In reality however most problems are not speicific to gender, so don't let dated stereotypes stop you from facing your problems.
Talk to someone
If you have a problem there's no need to suffer alone. Talk to your family, confide in a few friends or even tell a member of staff at your school, college or uni. See what they have to say and ask them for some advice.
At first, it might be scary telling people you know about what has been going on, especially when you feel like you have a rep’ to live up to, but you will find that sharing your problem with people you trust really can help.
Forget about others
Worrying about what people think only delays the process of finding a solution. It's time to think about yourself!
ChildLine
The NSPCC set up ChildLine as a way for people to express their problems – whether it’s about bullying, abuse or emotional issues – absolutely anything. They're open all day so if you want to give them a call, their number is 0800 1111.
You’ll get to speak to trained counsellors who’ll listen and try to help you any way they can. The best thing to do is to be honest about what’s bugging you. Find out more here.
Want more help?
n2k’s very own site on bullying gives you the ins and outs of what to do if you are a being bullied and how to put a stop to it.
Got family problems? Remember, there’s no such thing as a perfect family. However, if you’re experiencing serious problems with them then visit The Hideout which gives you positive tips on what you can do about it. Don’t worry about someone finding out that you’ve visited the site - it gives you details on how you can hide your tracks.
Watch this video on domestic violence.
Loneliness can be a big issue as you're growing up, and there can be many reasons for it. Some people are extremely shy which stops them from approaching others. ShyKids gives loads of advice on how you can try to combat your shyness.
