The charity Kids Helpline says it’s seen a 123 percent increase in calls from tweenagers.

The free telephone counselling service for children and young people says an increasing number of kids aged 10 to 14 and younger are seeking help for issues such as online addiction, sleep problems, self-harm, bullying and depression.

Unfortunately, the charity which relies on donations to fund counsellors, was only able to answer less than half of the 339,724 calls it received last year, reports 9 news.

From the calls that were picked up, the average age of those phoning in was 16, with those aged five to 12 making up 13 percent of calls, 13 to 18-year-olds 54 percent and 19 to 25 33 percent.

One in four who made contact reported mental health concerns, while 16 percent of calls talked of suicide.

Kids Helpline CEO Tracy Adams said the dramatic increase in calls from tweenagers was a particular worry.

She said they were reporting anxiety, problems sleeping, online addiction, anger issues or mood swings through to self-harm, eating disorders, depression and thoughts of suicide.

“The reasons why they are experiencing these issues are varied and complex, but can include family breakdowns or illness, worries about bad news, school pressures or bullying,” she said.

“While some say they are receiving treatment though a GP, psychiatrist or counsellor, others say they use sleeping tablets, watching TV or YouTube, and turning to friends and family for help, and of course Kids Helpline.”

The number of emergency interventions have also increased by 40 percent from 2013 to 2017.

In 2017, 64 percent of calls were from kids who had called before and were receiving occasional or ongoing support.

Other top reasons children and young people contacted Kids Helpline for counselling in 2017 were family relationships (18 percent), emotional wellbeing (17 percent), suicide-related (16 percent) and dating and partner relationships (10 percent).

*Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800

Lifeline 13 11 14

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