Childline received over 6,000 calls from young people struggling with gender and sexual identity in 2018

Dame Esther Rantzen has called on adults to listen to young people's concerns 'sensitively'

Childline received thousands of calls from young people struggling with their gender and sexuality last year.

A new report from the counselling service has revealed that it carried out 6,014 sessions with children about issues relating to gender and sexual identity, such a bullying and suicidal thoughts, in 2018 – a figure which equates to 16 calls per day on average.

Children’s charity NSPCC, which runs Childline, also reported that 409 of these sessions were with 11-year-olds or younger, while the most common age group to contact them about these issues were 12 to 15-year-olds.

The organisation adds that there were 2,110 counselling sessions about coming out – a 40 per cent increase from the previous year – while 573 counselling sessions included references to homophobic bullying.

The Childline webpage advising those who identify as transgender has also seen an 80 per cent increase in page views in the last year.

Views on the web page rose from 6,867 between April 17-March 18 to 12,343 between April 2018-March 2019.

The gender identity page on Childline website went live in December 2015.

One boy told counsellors: “I have been feeling depressed and suicidal for about three years.

“My parents don’t understand me at all. I came out as trans and they think it’s just a phase and refuse to accept me. I am in pain.”

The new figures come during Pride month, throughout which Childline is raising awareness of LGBT+ issues among young people and working with influencers and celebrities from Munroe Bergdorf to The Only Way is Essex's Demi Sims.

The service is reminding young people that they can get support from Childline by phone, email or online whenever they need it.

Dame Esther Rantzen, founder of Childline, said: “I've met young people who were desperately unhappy because they couldn’t talk to anyone about issues regarding their sexuality or gender, and often turn to Childline because they fear they'd lose their friends and be rejected by their families if they disclosed their feelings to them.

“I'm glad that they felt able to talk to Childline and reveal their feelings without being judged or stigmatised.

Rantzen explained that while some adults might feel uncomfortable talking about these issues, it is vital to discuss them with young people.

“If we create a taboo around them, that can make children feel guilty, rejected and in some cases has even led to depression and even suicide," she said.

“We all need to listen sensitively and support young people and protect them from this profound unhappiness and loneliness.”

Any adult who is worried about a child can contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000, or by emailing help@nspcc.org.uk.

Any child who is concerned can also contact Childline for support via email, by calling for free on 0800 1111 or getting in touch online here.