Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 2:13 pm on 9 October 2018.
First Minister, 10 October is World Mental Health Day, and I'm sure that you would want to join me in offering our full support and gratitude to the many mental health service providers and charities who help our vulnerable people across Wales every day. However, suicide rates in Wales, and particularly amongst young people, are a very serious issue. Childline Cymru is reporting a 20 per cent increase in the number of calls it receives from children and young people suffering with suicidal thoughts and feelings. More worryingly, of late, children as young as 10 are now contacting these services. Will the First Minister make a statement on what action the Welsh Government is taking to reduce levels of suicide in children and young people and what services he's providing to charities such as Childline Cymru in dealing with the rise of the number of cases?