Boys' Self-Harm Rates At Shocking 'Five-Year High' - But Let's Not Forget About The Girls

Boys' Self-Harm Rates At Shocking 'Five-Year High'

The number have cases of young boys admitted to A&E for self-harming has soared by 30% and is now at a five-year high, a new report has revealed.

Admissions of boys aged 10 to 14 have risen from 454 in 2009 to 2010 to 659 in 2013 to 2014.

The number of young boys admitted to hospital has increased nearly every year over the past five years, according to statistics from the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC).

The number of cases of girls aged 10 to 14 self-harming has also increased dramatically, nearly doubling from 3,090 in 2009 to 2010 to 5,955 in 2013 to 2014.

Experts said bullying, stress at school and sexual pressure is driving young people to self-harm.

And while the worrying trend is more common in girls, it is increasing in boys too.

Lucy Russell, director of campaigns at the charity YoungMinds, told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: "Calls to our parents' helpline have gone through the roof over the last few years."

She added: "What we hear from various bits of research all across the country is that self-harm is definitely increasing and it's increasing in boys as much as it is with girls."

Ms Russell said youngsters were "under a lot of pressure in the modern age" with a wide range of potential triggers.

"There is a lot of family breakdown, there are addiction issues in families, poverty issues, there is a lot of stress at school in terms of having to perform and pass exams, there's bullying, 24/7 online culture, sexual pressures, issues around body image and, really, in terms of the future, what are young people going to do in the future?

"All those issues affect boys too."

Self-harm can include cutting, burning and intentional self-poisoning.

The HSCIC said the figures related to the number of admissions, rather than individual patients, and could include individuals who have gone to hospital many times.

Beat, call 0845 634 7650 or email fyp@b-eat.co.uk

Samaritans, open 24 hours a day, on 08457 90 90 90

Mind, open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393

Students Against Depression, a website by students, for students.

HopeLine runs a confidential advice helpline if you are a young person at risk of suicide or are worried about a young person at risk of suicide. Mon-Fri 10-5pm and 7pm-10pm. Weekends 2pm-5pm on 0800 068 41 41

Student Minds To join the community or launch a student group contact the charity on hello@studentminds.org.uk

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