Rise in self-harm linked to recession and alcohol abuse
The 2010 annual report of the national registry of deliberate self-harm shows a 19% increase in self-harm by men aged 20 to 24 and a 30% increase for women in the same age group.
The registry, launched yesterday by the Minister of State with responsibility for mental health, Kathleen Lynch, says the recession is likely to have played a crucial role in the increase in self-harm.
Since 2007, the year before the recession, the rate of self-harm among men has increased by 27% and among women by 7%.
While rare as a main method of self-harm, alcohol was involved in 41% of all cases last year, and was more common among men than women.
Deputy director of the National Suicide Research Foundation, Paul Corcoran, said the registry also identified a significant increase in the Cork rate of self-harm.
“Since 2007, the male rate of deliberate self-harm in Cork city and county has doubled, while the rate among Cork city women increased by 35%,” he said.
The registry points out that the rate of self-harm among men in Cork city and among men and women in Limerick city was two and half times the national rate.
Mr Corcoran, who is also the foundation’s chief statistician, said they also found evidence indicating that the rate of self-harm presentations to hospital increased on and just after public holidays.
The registry said presentations peaked around midnight and almost one-third of all presentations occurred on Sundays and Mondays.
Director of research at the foundation, Dr Ella Arensman, said misuse and abuse of alcohol was one of the factors associated with these higher rates.
She said more should be done to reduce access to alcohol and increase awareness of the risks involved in the use and misuse of alcohol, starting at pre-adolescent age.
Last year, the registry recorded 11,966 self-harm presentations to hospital emergency departments, by 9,630 individuals.
The rate of hospital-treated self-harm was 5% higher last year than in 2009 and is the fourth successive increase.
The rate of self-harm among men was 4% higher than in 2009 and is the third successive major increase in self-harm by men, following a 10% increase in 2009. The rate among women also increased by 4%.
* Anyone concerned about these issues can contact Aware at 1890 303302 or visit aware.ie or mentalhealthireland.ie.
Childline can also be contacted at 1800 666666.
