Nearly one in four 14 year-old girls in UK admit to self-harming

Nearly one in four 14 year-old girls have said they have self-harmed in the last year, according to a new UK-wide report by the Children’s Society.

The charity’s 'Good Childhood' report examines the wellbeing of children in the UK, using results of the Millennium Cohort Survey. It shows 22 per cent of 14 year old girls self harmed in the last 12 months.

Doctors say the results show the need for early mental health interventions in schools.

Based responses to the survey, the Children’s Society estimates that nearly 110,000 children aged 14 may have self-harmed across the UK during the same 12-month period, including 76,000 girls and 33,000 boys.

Matthew Reed, Chief Executive at The Children’s Society, said: “It is deeply worrying that so many children are unhappy to the extent that they are self-harming.

“Worries about how they look are a big issue, especially for girls, but this report shows other factors such as how they feel about their sexuality and gender stereotypes may be linked to their unhappiness.”

BMA consultants committee deputy chair and NHS child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr Gary Wannan said: “It’s worrying that so many young people see self-harming as a way of coping with social pressures, and as a normal part of adolescence.

“Better funded mental health services that match the increasing burden of mental ill-health are what these children deserve, and this study shows how the government’s failure to address the ongoing problem with children and adolescent mental health services leave many feeling they have no choice but to harm themselves to cope. 

“Schools provide vital opportunities to intervene early in pupils’ wellbeing and their budgets mustn’t be raided to prop up NHS services. Both must be equally and urgently funded to ensure CAMHS has universal reach, and doctors are adequately supported to oversee meaningful change.”

A current petition to the Scottish Parliament calls for access to a trained counsellor for all Scottish school pupils.

Petitioner Joanne Waddell said: “Getting support at an early stage can help avert children and young people reaching crisis points where costly and lengthy interventions might be needed. 

“This service should be available in all schools and be provided for under national health policy, not something that schools have to provide through their hard pressed education budgets.”

The petition closes on 3 September.