Childline gets more than 1,200 Christmas Day calls, texts and messages from children
Childline says it received more than 1,200 calls, texts and messages from children and young people on Christmas Day.
The ISPCC's listening service says almost three quarters of contacts were from boys and young males.
Up to 57 volunteers from across Ireland offered support to hundreds of children who made the 1,208 calls, texts and messages.
National Childline Manager Margie Roe said the majority of calls were from children who were experiencing family difficulties and mental health issues.
Childline says the volume of calls and messages highlights the fact that Christmas can be a difficult time for many children.
Ms Roe said" "The season can bring unwelcome stress on families and issues such as financial pressures and alcohol misuse in the home can have a hugely negative impact on children’s experience of the day. Children contacted Childline on Christmas Day for a variety of reasons but the majority of calls this year were from children who were experiencing family difficulties and mental health issues.
While Childline will not be able to solve all of these children’s issues and concerns on Christmas Day, what we can and will continue to do is listen to, believe and empower them and most importantly of all we will show these children that we care."
