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16/05/2014
One In 10 Young People Consider Self Harming
One in ten 16-year-olds have considered self-harming, according to a new study undertaken by Queen's University Belfast and the University of Ulster.
The results of the annual Young Life and Times (YLT) survey found that almost a third of 16-year-olds questioned had experienced serious personal, emotional or mental health problems at some point in the past year.
1,367 16-year-olds across Northern Ireland took part in the 2013 survey undertaken by ARK, a joint initiative by Queen’s University and the University of Ulster.
28% of 16-year-olds said they had experienced serious personal, emotional or mental health problems at some point in the past year. Over a third had sought professional help for these problems.
13% of respondents said that they had, at some point in the past, seriously thought about taking an overdose or harming themselves. 6% had thought about this in the past month.
13% of respondents said they had self-harmed. 5% had done so once and 8% more than once. 60% said the main reason for doing so was that they "wanted to punish themselves."
In 2008, when the study began, 26% of 16-year-olds had experienced serious mental health problems, 13% of respondents had thought about self-harm, whilst 10% had actually done so.
Dr Dirk Schubotz from the School of Sociology, Social Policy and Social Work at Queen’s University and YLT Director, said: "These findings from the YLT survey show that despite the investment in mental health services in Northern Ireland, compared to five years ago, there has been virtually no change with regard to young people’s experiences of stress and mental health problems. It is particularly significant to note that still only a small minority of 16-year-olds seek professional help when experiencing serious emotional health problems.
"Although mental health campaigns have for some time attempted to de-stigmatise mental ill-health, by far the most likely reason why young people self-harm remains self-punishment. This suggests that young people with mental health problems keep blaming themselves for these, rather than appreciating external stressors such as pressures arising from school work or financial difficulties."
(IT/CD)
The results of the annual Young Life and Times (YLT) survey found that almost a third of 16-year-olds questioned had experienced serious personal, emotional or mental health problems at some point in the past year.
1,367 16-year-olds across Northern Ireland took part in the 2013 survey undertaken by ARK, a joint initiative by Queen’s University and the University of Ulster.
28% of 16-year-olds said they had experienced serious personal, emotional or mental health problems at some point in the past year. Over a third had sought professional help for these problems.
13% of respondents said that they had, at some point in the past, seriously thought about taking an overdose or harming themselves. 6% had thought about this in the past month.
13% of respondents said they had self-harmed. 5% had done so once and 8% more than once. 60% said the main reason for doing so was that they "wanted to punish themselves."
In 2008, when the study began, 26% of 16-year-olds had experienced serious mental health problems, 13% of respondents had thought about self-harm, whilst 10% had actually done so.
Dr Dirk Schubotz from the School of Sociology, Social Policy and Social Work at Queen’s University and YLT Director, said: "These findings from the YLT survey show that despite the investment in mental health services in Northern Ireland, compared to five years ago, there has been virtually no change with regard to young people’s experiences of stress and mental health problems. It is particularly significant to note that still only a small minority of 16-year-olds seek professional help when experiencing serious emotional health problems.
"Although mental health campaigns have for some time attempted to de-stigmatise mental ill-health, by far the most likely reason why young people self-harm remains self-punishment. This suggests that young people with mental health problems keep blaming themselves for these, rather than appreciating external stressors such as pressures arising from school work or financial difficulties."
(IT/CD)
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