International Day of Happiness is on 20th March and this year’s theme is “Happier Together”. This is to remind us all that lasting happiness and wellbeing comes from feeling connected to others and being part of something bigger.

At Childline, our counsellors speak to children and young people every day who are struggling with their mental health, thoughts, and feelings.

The counselling sessions focus on a range of worries and concerns that children have and more than 14,000 sessions were delivered on this topic last year. This equates to nearly 40 counselling sessions to Childline per day from children feeling unhappy.

We know that prolonged mental health issues can have a long-term impact on young people’s lives. In time for International Day of Happiness and with the support of Lidl GB, a new campaign has been launched to shine a light on this topic.

Through ‘Find Your Calm’ Childline is encouraging children to seek help for mental health issues, and reminding them that the service is here for them 24/7 to provide support. 

Unhappiness was the second highest sub concern seen by the service under the main concern of ‘mental health’. Nearly 40% of these counselling sessions were with young people aged between 12 and 15.

Many of the young people who spoke to Childline on this topic were also concerned about issues such as loneliness, confidence, loss, and anxiety.

It is so important that children and young people understand that the Childline is here for all children with any concern, no matter how small they may seem.

Childline is free, confidential, and open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and can be reached on 0800 1111 or by visiting www.childline.org.uk

By Emma Motherwell, NSPCC Local Campaigns Manager for the South West and Channel Islands