Childline hopes celebrity backing will spread the word

Boys often wait until they are "near breaking point" before asking for help to deal with troubling issues, the children's charity ChildLine says.

It says many boys who contact its helpline say that admitting they have a problem makes them feel "weak" or not like "real men".

ChildLine is launching a six-month campaign on Tuesday to challenge stereotypes which prevent boys and young men asking for help when they need it.

The initiative, called Boys Allowed, is supported by the Arsenal football team, pop band Phixx, actor Michael Greco and television presenters Dale Winton and Ian Wright.

Minister for Children Margaret Hodge, who is also backing the campaign, said: "Too often we fail to acknowledge and recognise the pressures facing young boys and young men.

"Too often there is nobody they can turn to, either to talk to them or to work out how to deal with the situation."

Gender divide

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Last year, the ChildLine's helpline dealt with calls from 26,167 males compared with 93,579 females.

Chief executive Carole Easton said the difference in numbers did not mean boys had fewer problems than girls.

"Some have to struggle alone with terrible problems before they call ChildLine, like being relentlessly bullied, sexually abused, or feeling suicidally depressed," she said.

"With suicide rates among young males alarmingly high, it's essential that our campaign reaches as many boys and young men as possible with the message that there's no stigma attached to asking for help to sort out problems."

ChildLine has put interviews with male counsellors and celebrities detailing their own personal experiences on its website.

A range of advice geared specifically at boys, parents, carers and professionals is also posted online.

But the charity says is not getting enough funding to meet the demand for its services.

It revealed in October it could only take130 calls a day out of 320 on its South West helpline due to a lack of money and volunteers.

It called for volunteers who could help organise events in aid of the helpline, which has been running for nearly 18 years.