Self-harm among boys 10-14 jumps 44%

A 44% jump in the rate of self-harm among 10 to 14-year-old boys underscores the need for mental health programmes targeted at this young age group, according to a key recommendation of a new report by the National Suicide Research Foundation (NSRF).

Dr Eve Griffin, who presented the findings of the National Self Harm Registry Ireland annual report 2014 yesterday, said while the numbers in this age group were small, they were nonetheless increasing “and it’s something we need to keep an eye on”.

Registry figures show 311 children presented with self- harm at the three children’s hospitals in Dublin last year.