Daily roundup 11 May: Exam stress, self-harm and sexual assault

The number of school children calling a helpline with worries about exam stress has risen, figures have revealed. Data shows 3,077 counselling sessions about exam stress were delivered to young people in 2015/16 by the NSPCCs ChildLine compared with 2,835 in 2014/15.


Self-harm is the single biggest cause of death of people aged 20 to 24, according to research from the Lancet Commission. The Independent reports that in 2013, 329 people in this age group in the UK died from a self-harm related injury.


Children as young as four have been accused of raping or sexually assaulting pupils in schools within the West Mercia region, according to data released by West Mercia Police.  The Shropshire Star reports that the findings show that the number of rapes or sexual assaults reported rose to 159 in 2014 – up from 40 in 2011.


A councillor at Sunderland City Council who came under fire from inspectors for poor leadership, which led to failings in the care of the most vulnerable children, has lost her cabinet post. The Sunderland Echo reports that Pat Smith will no longer be the lead member for children’s services at the city council and will be replaced by Louise Farthing.


Labour is calling on young people in the UK to make sure they vote in the referendum next month. The Mirror reports that former Home Secretary Alan Johnson said it is young people's future that "hangs in the balance if they don't turn out on the day".


Local community groups have been invited to apply for a share of a £12m carrier bag charge fund. The Bags of Help initiative, which was launched by Tesco and Groundwork UK, will see grants of between £8,000 and £12,000 – raised from the 5p bag levy – awarded to environmental and greenspace projects.?