The growing problem of self-harm where as many as one in 10 young people in Ireland will self-harm at some point in their life has been highlighted at the launch of a new training programme for those who come in contact with those at risk.
Understanding Self-Harm has been developed by Health Service Executive (HSE) South in consultation with leading British mental health charity Mind with a view to assisting people who come in contact with those who self-harm.
The training pack, which was launched yesterday and includes a training programme and a handbook, is aimed at hospital staff, primary healthcare workers, community groups, youth workers and carers. It looks at the motivations of those who self-harm as well as helpful responses to such situations.
The Regional Suicide Resource Office of HSE South is also producing a series of information leaflets on self-harm targeted at young people, their parents and guardians, which outline why young people harm themselves, who is at risk and where help can be sourced.
According to HSE South mental health resource officer, Brenda Crowley, self-harm can be defined as the various methods by which people deliberately harm themselves such as cutting, hitting and taking overdoses.
"Self-harm is a common occurrence in the Republic with more than 11,000 presentations to hospital emergency departments annually. However, studies indicate that the prevalence of self-harming is far greater than this," said Ms Crowley.
"For example, The Young People's Mental Health Report in 2004 indicated that as many as one in 10 young people will self-harm at some stage in their life," said Ms Crowley, adding that raising awareness was essential if progress is to be made in addressing the problem.
"Educating our communities about the signs and symptoms of self-harm as well as the triggers which prompt young people to hurt themselves will help all of us to be more aware of the issue and better equipped to address it in a meaningful and effective way."
According to Ms Crowley, varying degrees of suicide intent can be present though sometimes there may not be suicidal intent. However, an increased risk of further suicidal behaviour is associated with deliberate self-harm.
The consequences of self- harm may result in lasting physical, emotional and mental health harm to the individual and can also have a profound impact upon family, friends, peers and care agencies, she added.
Ms Crowley's comments were echoed by HSE South training and development officer Agatha Lawless who pointed out that despite an annual estimated economic cost to the exchequer of €30 million, self-harm was often poorly understood by the public and care providers.
"This newly devised training programme will better equip those who complete the training to address the challenges of self-harm behaviours and meet the needs of those affected by self- harm," said Ms Lawless.
HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention deputy head Derek Chambers said the prevention of suicide was dependent on developing responses at all levels of risk and vulnerability. "These new resources are a major step in providing a supportive response to people who self-harm," he said.