Number Of Youths Self-Harming In Wales Increases

The number of young people admitted to hospital for self harm in Wales has reportedly increased in the last 12 months.

New figures released as part of the Welsh Government’s ‘Ad-hoc Statistical Release’ show that between 2013-2014 1,542 patients aged between 10 and 19 years old were admitted to hospital for self harm.

The figures are based on the ‘admitted (first episode) in spell and the Welsh Providers only.

The statistics show that since 2008 there has been an increase in the number of young people taken to hospital for incidents of self harm, with 1,172 people admitted to hospital in 2008-2009.

Over the past five years the figures also show there are a higher number of females aged 15-19 taken to hospital than male.

A full table of the results over the past few years can be viewed below.

Last week the Welsh Government unveiled a new five year plan to reduce suicide and self harm in Wales.

Each year in Wales between 300 and 350 people die from suicide – this is approximately three times the number who are killed in road accidents. There are around 5,500 hospital admissions for self harm every year.

Health and Social Services Minister Mark Drakeford said: “Suicide is usually in response to a complex series of factors, which are both personal and related to wider social and community influences. It is a tragedy for all concerned and is a cause of distress for many people – the individual, family, friends, professionals and the wider community.

“It is estimated that for every person who dies through suicide at least six others are significantly and directly affected. Many others may be indirectly affected. Losing someone through suicide can be particularly traumatic and difficult to cope with; its impacts are psychological, spiritual and economic.

“Our five-year strategy aims to promote, co-ordinate and support plans and programmes to reduce suicide and prevent self harm at national, regional and local levels.

“Prevention of suicide and self harm is a major challenge for us all, but no single organisation or government department can tackle this issue in isolation. The successful implementation of Together for Mental Health, the Measure and Talk to Me 2 will make a significant contribution to the prevention of suicide and self harm in Wales.”

Talk to Me 2, which elaborates on the first Talk to Me plan which was launched in 2009, sets out the strategic aims and objectives to prevent and reduce suicide and self harm in Wales between 2014 and 2019. It also builds on and Together for Mental Health and the Mental Health (Wales) Measure 2010.

It identifies those groups of people who are particularly vulnerable to suicide and self harm and sets out the care they should receive, provided in the right place, at the right time.

Talk to Me 2 will be subject to a 12-week consultation, which closes on March 5, 2015.