HUNDREDS of children in Wales contacted Childline last year in severe emotional distress, with new figures showing the service delivered 548 counselling sessions to young people experiencing thoughts of self-harm or wanting to end their lives.

Data released by NSPCC shows its Childline teams supported children across Wales between April 2024 and March 2025 through confidential phone and online counselling.

Around one in five of those sessions involved youngsters considered to be at immediate risk, including children who had expressed plans to harm themselves or were already taking action.

The charity says the figures reveal the scale of hidden mental health struggles facing young people but also show that many are still willing to reach out for help.

Children contact Childline for a range of reasons, including feeling overwhelmed, dealing with anxiety or depression, family problems, bullying, or past trauma.

One 13-year-old girl from Wales told counsellors: “Lately my mental health has been at an all-time low. Suicidal thoughts have always been there in the back of my mind, but now they’re at the front. It feels like Childline is the only place that takes me seriously.”

Another young person described how intrusive thoughts could appear daily, even during moments when they seemed calm.

Across the UK, Childline delivered nearly 19,000 counselling sessions last year where thoughts of ending life or self-harm were the main concern.

Shaun Friel, Childline Director, said: “Behind every statistic is a young person in pain, often feeling alone.

“But these numbers also represent hope. For every one of these sessions there was a moment when a child chose to reach out rather than suffer in silence.

“Our message is simple: you are not alone. Whatever you’re going through, Childline is here to listen and help you find a way through.”

The figures have been released during Children’s Mental Health Week, with the charity urging parents, carers and schools to check in regularly with young people and take warning signs seriously.

Childline is free, confidential and available 24 hours a day on 0800 1111 or via online chat.

MAJOR refurbishment work has begun at Hywel Dda University Health Board’s Glangwili Hospital after more than £2 million in funding was secured from the Welsh Government.

The £2.096m investment will be used to overhaul the hospital’s Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) unit, creating extra consultation rooms, a redesigned reception, and a more comfortable environment for both patients and staff.

Health chiefs say the expanded unit will help reduce pressure on the hospital’s busy Emergency Department by allowing more people to be treated quickly without needing an overnight stay.

The project forms part of wider efforts to improve urgent and emergency care across the health board’s sites, including the Minor Injury Unit at Prince Philip Hospital.

Keith Jones, Director of Operational Planning and Performance for the health board, said the funding would increase capacity and speed up patient flow.

He said: “This investment will help us reduce pressure on the Emergency Department and provide a smoother, swifter experience for patients. We’re grateful to Welsh Government for the support.”

Services temporarily relocated

While the work takes place, several services have moved elsewhere on the hospital site.

The SDEC unit, Discharge Lounge and Medical Day Unit have relocated to Y Lolfa, formerly Padarn Ward.

The Cancer Information and Support Service and Cancer Psychological Support Service have also moved, although contact details remain unchanged.

Some clinics, including podiatry, neuro-rehabilitation and occupational therapy, will stay at the Priory Day Hospital, but patients may need to use different access routes.

Patients are being notified through appointment letters, and extra signage will be in place around the hospital. Staff are urging visitors to check their letters carefully or contact departments directly if unsure where to attend.

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Jeremy Miles said the upgrade would help tackle overcrowding and delays.

He said: “This investment will reduce waits, ease handover pressures and improve the overall experience for patients and staff when they need urgent or emergency care.”

Work is expected to continue over the coming months.

A WEST WALES man accused of murdering his partner’s five-month-old son has told a jury he “panicked” and shook the baby in an attempt to revive him.

Thomas Morgan denies killing Jensen-Lee Dougal, who suffered catastrophic brain injuries at the family home in Clydach in March 2024.

The child was rushed to the University Hospital of Wales but died the following day in his mother’s arms.

Morgan, of Penyrheol Road, Gorseinon, is on trial at Swansea Crown Court charged with murder and three counts of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent. He denies all charges.

Opening the defence case, the court heard Morgan claims the infant had been sick after feeding and was found choking and unresponsive when he returned with fresh clothes. He said he shook the baby, tapped his back and splashed water on him in an effort to get a reaction before seeking help from a neighbour. He told jurors he could not call an ambulance because his phone was faulty.

Asked in the witness box what he physically did, Morgan said: “I completely panicked. I shook him to get a reaction out of him.” He added he did not believe he used enough force to cause harm and said it was “absolutely not” his intention to hurt the child.

Prosecutors allege the injuries were inflicted deliberately.

The jury has heard detailed medical evidence describing bleeding and swelling to the brain, bleeding to the spine and eyes, bruising to the ears and chin, multiple rib fractures and fractures to the legs, elbow, spine and foot.

Doctors said some of the rib fractures showed healing, suggesting they occurred during two separate periods — between early January and early February, and again between mid-February and the end of March.

Consultant paediatrician Dr Deborah Stalker told the court each set of injuries was rare in babies and strongly associated with non-accidental trauma. Considering the total pattern, she said they were “purposefully inflicted”, consistent with abusive head trauma such as violent shaking.

“These injuries do not occur in the course of normal handling of a baby,” she said.

She added the brain damage was so severe that Jensen-Lee would have lost consciousness and gone into cardiac arrest within minutes. An equivalent accidental force, the court heard, would be comparable to a high-speed road collision or a fall from a second-floor window.

The prosecution claims Morgan was “fired up with anger” following an earlier argument when the injuries were caused. Morgan denies losing his temper or assaulting the child.

The trial continues.