THE NUMBER of children seeking help for mental health problems, including from sexual abuse, violence and alcoholism has soared by 450 per cent in the last five years.

Primary school pupils are among the hundreds of children who have been referred to Glasgow charity Lifelink since 2010 for treatment and support.

The charity saw just 249 kids between the ages of 11 and 18 for mental health problems in 2010, but by 2015 the numbers of children and severity of their problems had increased drastically.

In 2015, staff helped 1371 children across Glasgow and since January this year more than 800 kids have been seen by their counsellors and mentors.

Charity boss Jacqui Taylor say children's problems are becoming more serious, and she is seeing an increasing number of children who need help to deal with the mental health impacts of sexual abuse, living with alcoholism at home and bereavement or separation in the family.

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Children whose parents are in prison or have drug problems are also among those who have been helped, as well as kids who self harm and have depression, anxiety and stress.

Jacqui said: "There is an increase in stress levels right across the board for young people.

"Self harm is on the increase, exam stress and social media has a real role to play in that too.

"People want to put on social media that everything is fine when underneath everything isn't always rosy.

"There is also a real push in terms of exam results, and a real pressure on young people to achieve good grades.

"A lot of young people have a range of issues, so we work with the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAHMS) to make sure they are getting the right support.

"We are based in schools and in the community so that raises the awareness of the service we provide too."

One 15-year-old girl who was helped by the charity said before she worked with a one-to-one counsellor she had no interest in going to school and was overwhelmed with worry about her future.

She said: "At first I thought 'I don't want to be here, I don't want to do this. I've met lots of people and [the counsellor] is going to be the same."

"Things which were on my mind are bothering me less now though.

"I'm a lot more positive now."

Along with an increase in the number of children being supported by the charity, the organisation has seen a surge in adult referrals too.

In 2010, staff saw 3470 adults but by 2015 the number had grown by 57 per cent, to 5456.

The charity, which has been running for more than two decades, is now branching out into West Dunbartonshire and Renfrewshire to help those who need support there.