Overview
- The NSPCC published figures at the start of Pride Month showing Childline delivered 2,457 counselling sessions in the year to March 2026 where the main concern was sexuality or gender identity.
- More than 40% of those sessions cited fear of coming out and not being accepted, with young people reporting worries about family rejection, losing friends, and worsening mental health.
- Counselling for gender dysphoria rose about 20% year on year to 476 sessions, up from 396 the prior year.
- Where a child’s gender was recorded in these sessions, 64% involved young people who identified as transgender or non‑binary and the charity said the numbers refer to counselling contacts rather than unique individuals.
- The figures come after the April 2024 Cass Review and subsequent policy changes that limited routine prescriptions of puberty blockers and reduced routine use of cross‑sex hormones for under‑18s, and the charity is urging young people to use its 24/7 confidential service as debate about causes and care continues.