Children’s charity launches appeal for cash amid ‘childhood emergency’

Children’s campaigners have warned they could struggle to meet the demand for help as youngsters face “spiralling levels of worry and anxiety”.

The charity Children First is launching a fundraising appeal, saying it needs “urgent support from the public” to continue its “vital” services.

But chief executive Mary Glasgow also called on the Scottish Government to do more, as she said it was “unacceptable” that youngsters “living with spiralling levels of worry and anxiety and cannot get the support they need”.

It comes as the charity said more than two thirds of the 5,108 people who contacted its national support line were worried about a child’s emotional wellbeing.

Meanwhile, a survey of 2,464 children and young people aged between 11 and 25 found a quarter (25%) were “extremely worried” about mental health, with 28% very worried about this and 27% moderately worried.

In addition to this, 13% were “a little worried” about mental health the data, collected as part of the Young Scot Truth About Youth survey, showed.

It also revealed two fifths (40%) think childhood is worse than it was when their parents were growing up, with less than a quarter (24%) believing childhood is better now.

Ms Glasgow said: “Scotland’s children should not have to reach crisis point before they get support. We have repeatedly called on the Scottish Government to roll out more early help and support.

“Children and young people are trapped in a mental health crisis, made worse by online harm, exploitation and social media bombarding them with unrealistic expectations.”

The Children First chief executive insisted: “It is unacceptable that our children are living with spiralling levels of worry and anxiety and cannot get the support they need. This cannot become the new normal. This has to stop.”

She added: “Scotland is facing a childhood emergency. Every day our teams are supporting children and young people who are completely overwhelmed by how difficult things are.

“Far too many young people feel frightened and alone and have no one in their life they can trust.

“Without urgent support from the public, we will struggle to meet the growing demand for our vital services, and we are urging anyone who can to please make a donation.”

Anyone worried about a child can call the Children First support line on 08000 28 22 33 or start a webchat at childrenfirst.org.uk.

Donations to the charity’s appeal can be made at childrenfirst.org.uk or by calling 0345 10 80 111.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Improving mental health and wellbeing is a priority and it is vital that all children and young people receive the right support, at the right time, in the right place.

“This is why we have provided local authorities with over £65 million since 2020 to fund more than 300 community-based mental health and wellbeing supports and services for children, young people and their families.

“These include support for anxiety, are focused on prevention and early intervention, and where appropriate, offer an alternative to CAMHS by providing support in a community setting. Local authorities report that almost 83,000 people used them between July 2023 and March 2024.

“We also continue to provide local authorities with an annual investment of £16 million to support counselling services in secondary schools.”