SOARING numbers of children and teenagers are being admitted to hospital after self-harming.
Shocking new figures show that cases involving under-17s have increased by 260 per cent in a decade.

It means NHS hospitals now deal with 12 admissions linked to self-harm every day in the UK.

The rise comes amid growing concern about the impact social media websites are having on the problem.

Official data, released by NHS Digital, indicates A&E departments are dealing with more cases.
Last year there were 4,340 admissions for patients aged 17 and under. That compares with 1,205 ten years ago.

The surge comes at the same time as some children are being forced to wait longer and longer for mental health support.

Those requiring counselling often face having to wait up to six months in some areas of the country.

Experts fear these delays in receiving support can often lead to youngsters self-harming which becomes a cry for help as they battle conditions like depression.

An NSPCC spokesperson said: “Sadly, we know from contacts to Childline that many children harm themselves as a way of coping with their problems. We must face up to the fact that an increasing number are struggling to deal with the pressures of everyday life and are resorting to these drastic acts.

“Often young people feel too ashamed or frightened to seek help and don’t get the support they desperately need until they have hurt themselves so badly they must be rushed to hospital.

“It is vital that children are encouraged to speak out and seek help before getting to the point of self-harm, and that when they do the professional help they require is easily accessible to them.”

YOU'RE NOT ALONE

EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.

It doesn't discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.

It's the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.

And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.

Yet it's rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.

That is why The Sun launched the You're Not Alone campaign.

The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.

Let's all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You're Not Alone.

If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:

• CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
• Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk
• Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
• Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
• Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123

• GOT a story? Ring The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or email [email protected].

Source: Read Full Article