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Pudsey Bear Speaks for First Time in 40 Years in Mental Health Campaign
The 30-second film urges adults to listen as research found 24% of children keep worries to themselves, BBC Children In Need said.
On Monday, BBC mascot Pudsey Bear breaks his silence for the first time in over 40 years, starring in the short film 'Pudsey Finds His Voice' alongside actor Dexter Sol Ansell as part of Mental Health Awareness Week.
The campaign urges adults to listen so children feel safe sharing struggles, as research shows too many young people keep worries to themselves out of fear or embarrassment.
Censuswide research commissioned by BBC Children In Need found 24% of children keep worries to themselves, while 38% say their worries have made life less enjoyable or caused them to stay silent.
BBC Children In Need announced a £1.24 million investment in mental health support for charities including Mental Health Innovations and The Children's Society, with interim chief executive Claire Hoyle stating, "It's on all of us to create the moments, ask the questions, and really listen."
The film premieres today at 7pm on BBC One's The One Show and will air across BBC television and radio, co-produced by BBC Creative and Blinkink.