By A Room in Town|24/02/20|
Sunday 1 March marks Self Injury Awareness Day. We’ve curated some of the most poignant statistics on self harm and its effect on society.
A Lancet Psychiatry study found that in 2014, 6% of people had self-harmed, up from 2% in 2000 [source]
The same study reported self-harm was biggest among women and girls aged 16 to 24. [source]
One in five girls and young women in England aged 16 to 24 have cut, burned or poisoned themselves [source]
The number of people getting no help for self-harming issues is about 50%. [source]
Between 2018-2019 6% of all Childline counselling sessions related to self-harm.[source]
Deaths by suicide in UK rose by 11.8% in 2018 [source]; and the Samaritans believes reducing self-harm is key to suicide prevention.[source]
Suicide risk is 30 times higher in young people who self-harm.[source]<s/up>
In prison custody, self-harm incidents reached a new record high of 57,968 incidents in the 12 months to March 2019, up 24% from the previous 12 months.[source]
The number of self-harm incidents in youth custody rose by 3% to 1,841 in the year to March.[source]
There were 700 hospital admissions as a result of self-harm per 100,000 young people aged 15 to 17 years in 2017/18. This is higher than the rate in 2013/14 (657 admissions per 100,000).[source]
If you are looking for organisations which offer support and advice on self harm, the following may be useful:
Samaritans – call 116 123 (open 24 hours a day), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit your local Samaritans branch
Mind – call 0300 123 3393 or text 86463 (9am to 6pm on weekdays)
Harmless – email info@harmless.org.uk
National Self Harm Network forums
YoungMinds Parents Helpline – call 0808 802 5544 (9.30am to 4pm on weekdays)
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