Research shows bullying leads to child suicides

Nearly half of children who call Childline because they are
suicidal report bullying as a factor, the helpline has
revealed.

In a book released this week, ‘Saving Young Lives’,
the charity analyses calls received in the twelve months up to
March 1999.

It shows one third of suicidal callers cited sexual abuse as a
problem, and just under one third cited other forms of physical
abuse. Eight out of 10 suicidal callers were girls.

The book provides case studies of calls, and advises friends,
relatives and carers on how they can respond to a suicidal young
person.

Esther Rantzen, chairperson of Childline, said: “Desperate
children find it extremely difficult to talk about their pain, but
we must find ways of hearing them if we are to save lives.”