ONE child every day in Coventry on average is admitted to hospital because of self-harming and attempted suicide.
The amount of children admitted to accident and emergency in the city due to drug abuse is also dramatically rising, newly released data shows.
The latest self-harming figures were obtained and released by Coventry city councillor Ed Ruane, cabinet member for children and young people.
He is concerned that young people self harming and attempting to take their own lives remains high.
The vast majority are not on child protection plans under the care of the child protection agencies.
The number of children admitted to A&E for self-harming so far this year is 198 (January-July 2015).
The figure for 2014 was 426 – vastly higher than the 2012 figure of 249.
The number of children admitted to A&E for drug abuse so far this year stands at 295 (January-July 2015).
It suggests a rise of the previous year’s figure of 396 for the whole of 2014.
Even more worryingly, it is another dramatic rise on the 2012 figure of 307.
Coun Ruane said “The continuing increase in self-harming, suicide attempts and drug abuse amongst children is deeply concerning.
“It is about prevention and not just treatment after the event, and what more can be done through schools to try and reduce the levels of self-harm through well-being programmes.”
“I’m aware that the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) service has undergone a recent redesign, and in my view the redesign will only be judged a success once the number of children presenting at A&E for self-harming starts to fall.”
CAMHS offers a range of help and treatment to children and young people experiencing emotional or behavioural difficulties, or mental health problems, disorders and illnesses – up to aged 17.
Referral is through professionals such as GPs and educational psychologists.
