NATIONAL charity Parentline Plus has this week revealed that in the past year more than 6,000 Hertfordshire parents and carers have called the helpline looking for advice on children's depression or behavioural problems.

With children under increasing emotional pressure and stress due to exams, bullying, drugs and divorce, parents are looking for tell-tale signs to spot whether their child may be suffering from stress or anxiety and what they can do to help.

More than 66 per cent of calls to the Parentline Plus helpline were from people who said their child's behaviour had become challenging, which can be the sign of a larger problem. However some parents are finding it hard to deal with the problem and avoid conflict.

A spokesman for the charity said: "This is the first year that we have broken down the figures by region. However nationally the number of calls has gone up by over 50,000 so you can imagine how serious the problem is."

Mrs Sandra Hiller, manager of Parentline Plus in Hertfordshire said: "Parents need to feel heard and supported in order to do the same for their children.

"They need encouragement to seek help and appreciate that every family has difficulties from time to time. There is no stigma attached to asking for support or information."

Some of the signs of unhappiness or depression in children can include moodiness, irritability and poor concentration, withdrawal from friends, family and hobbies and changes in eating habits or weight.

Mrs Hiller said: "A child who is unhappy or anxious needs to be listened to and understood.

"The key source of comfort is their parent or carer, yet often parents themselves feel isolated and powerless.

"Parents are the key to the long-term well being of their child and without helping the parent, the child can suffer."

The charity has released the figures as part of Talking Families awareness week, which has been running since Monday, July 1.

The campaign is sponsored by BT and has been initiated to encourage families to help other families in their local community .

Parentline Plus is a free and confidential 24-hour helpline on 0808 800 2222 or a full list of practical tips can be found on <www.parentlineplus.org.uk>.

July 3, 2002 15:00