One in three teenagers has considered self-harm – UK poll
Undated file photo of school girls in uniform as teenage girls were more likely to consider hurting themselves compared with boys, and more likely to have a close friend who self-harms, according to the public health charity Addaction. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Tuesday November 27, 2018. A third of teenagers have thought about harming themselves, a new poll has found The survey found that 33% of young people aged 13 to 17 had thought about self-harm. See PA story HEALTH Mental. Photo credit should read: Ben Birchall/PA Wire
By Ella Pickover, Press Association Health Correspondent
A third of UK teenagers have thought about harming themselves, a new poll has found.
The survey, conducted by the charity Addaction, found that 33% of young people aged 13 to 17 had thought about self-harm.
This includes one in 10 (9.9%) who have these thoughts "some of the time" and 6.1% who think about it "all or most of the time".
The new research, which draws on responses from more than 8,500 pupils aged 13 to 17 at schools in Cornwall, Kent and Lancashire, also found that 28% had felt down or depressed on at least six days in the last month.
Meanwhile, 22% felt overwhelmed or worried often or all of the time.
Broken down between genders, nearly one in three girls (31%) feel overwhelmed or worried compared with 11% of boys.
Teenage girls were also more likely to consider hurting themselves compared with boys, and more likely to have a close friend who self-harms, according to the public health charity.
Rick Bradley, who leads the Mind and Body programme at Addaction, said the findings offer "a clear indication that increasing numbers of young people are really struggling".
He added: "There is mounting evidence that adolescent life can be overwhelming for many young people, with data indicating it feels particularly tough for girls and young women.
"We must do more to address this but it is difficult when schools and support services are stretched and the threshold for childhood and mental health services has never been higher.
"It's not easy for young people today. In some ways they've never been more connected, but these interactions can carry a lot of pressure, especially through social media, with negative impacts on people's body image and self-esteem.
"We also know many young people struggle with academic pressures and the intensity of the education system.
"When you factor in changes in hormones, responsibilities and relationships, it can make teenage years really challenging.
"Our message to young people is you're never alone. Don't be afraid to reach out for help if you are struggling."
A separate report last week highlighted the scale of mental health issues affecting children and young people across England.
According to NHS Digital, one in eight (12.8%) children and young people aged between five and 19 had a mental health disorder in 2017.
The research found that a third of schoolgirls with mental health problems have self-harmed or attempted suicide, rising to more than half of sixth-form girls.
