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Boys' self-harm A&E admissions 'at five-year high' Boys' self-harm A&E admissions 'at five-year high'
(about 1 hour later)
The number of young boys being admitted into accident and emergency units in England for self-harm is at a five-year high, new figures show. The number of young boys being admitted into A&E units in England for self-harm is at a five-year high, figures show.
Data from the NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) suggests admissions of 10- to 14-year-old boys have risen by 30% since 2009. Admissions of boys aged 10 to 14 have risen by 30% - from 454 admissions in 2009/10 to 659 last year - data from the NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre suggests.
But campaigners said they feared many others were "suffering in silence".
Care minister Norman Lamb told the BBC the government was putting £30m into mental health support in A&E units.Care minister Norman Lamb told the BBC the government was putting £30m into mental health support in A&E units.
But campaigners said they feared many others were "suffering in silence".
Experts say a cultural shift is needed in society to ensure teachers and parents are not afraid to address the topic of self-harm among boys.Experts say a cultural shift is needed in society to ensure teachers and parents are not afraid to address the topic of self-harm among boys.
Self-harm can include cutting, burning, pinching, and scratching and can be described as a physical response to an emotional pain.
'Unable to come forward''Unable to come forward'
The HSCIC statistics showed 659 boys aged 10 to 14 were admitted to A&E in 2013/14, compared with 577 in 2012/13 and 454 in 2009/10.The HSCIC statistics showed 659 boys aged 10 to 14 were admitted to A&E in 2013/14, compared with 577 in 2012/13 and 454 in 2009/10.
Experts believed the rise was partly due to an increase in young people self-harming, but it also reflected better recording of data by hospitals. Experts believe the rise was partly due to an increase in young people self-harming, but also reflected better recording of data by hospitals.
They also said that, even though the increase might not be dramatic, it represented the tip of the iceberg because boys often didn't like to admit to self-harming because it was mostly perceived as a female behavioural problem.They also said that, even though the increase might not be dramatic, it represented the tip of the iceberg because boys often didn't like to admit to self-harming because it was mostly perceived as a female behavioural problem.
The figures for 10- to 14-year-old girls were much higher, but Rachel Welch - project director of the website selfharm.co.uk - explained society must not assume boys did not self-harm. Boys were also more likely than girls to punch or hit themselves, which some hospitals may not categorise as self-harm, campaigners added.
Although figures for 10- to 14-year-old girls were much higher, but Rachel Welch - project director of the website selfharm.co.uk - explained society must not assume boys did not self-harm.
She said: "Because of the way society has constructed the image of self-harm, it makes it much easier for girls to come forward and ask for help.She said: "Because of the way society has constructed the image of self-harm, it makes it much easier for girls to come forward and ask for help.
"We've actually got a huge number of boys who are suffering in silence, unable to come forward and ask for help because they're struggling with something perceived to be something that only affects girls," she added."We've actually got a huge number of boys who are suffering in silence, unable to come forward and ask for help because they're struggling with something perceived to be something that only affects girls," she added.
Ms Welch explained self-harming had been a problem for a while in children, but that it was previously recognised as "bad or aggressive behaviour".Ms Welch explained self-harming had been a problem for a while in children, but that it was previously recognised as "bad or aggressive behaviour".
She also believed children were likely to be influenced by what they saw on the internet and in the family home.She also believed children were likely to be influenced by what they saw on the internet and in the family home.
"There is some research that suggests children are more likely to engage in self-harm if they have witnessed it elsewhere," she said."There is some research that suggests children are more likely to engage in self-harm if they have witnessed it elsewhere," she said.
"For example in older siblings, parents, friends or online - particularly if they perceive it to have had a positive outcome - like getting more attention or care," she added."For example in older siblings, parents, friends or online - particularly if they perceive it to have had a positive outcome - like getting more attention or care," she added.
Case study: Kenlie's storyCase study: Kenlie's story
15-year-old Kenlie Youngman began self-harming two years ago. Kenlie Youngman, 15, began self-harming two years ago.
"I've never seen my biological father, so that's kind of one thing that made me want to self-harm, because it makes me think he didn't want me - he wouldn't accept me," he explained."I've never seen my biological father, so that's kind of one thing that made me want to self-harm, because it makes me think he didn't want me - he wouldn't accept me," he explained.
"I was also badly bullied which also led to self-harm."I was also badly bullied which also led to self-harm.
"When I felt really down I would self-harm. I was cutting myself...and the thoughts and things that would get me down would just be released from me."When I felt really down I would self-harm. I was cutting myself...and the thoughts and things that would get me down would just be released from me.
"But you know, they're not [released in reality], because they could come back to you another day.""But you know, they're not [released in reality], because they could come back to you another day."
His mother Donna Youngman discovered his self-harming when she noticed marks on his arms. She said teenagers hurt themselves as "a cry for help".His mother Donna Youngman discovered his self-harming when she noticed marks on his arms. She said teenagers hurt themselves as "a cry for help".
Schools 'must do more'Schools 'must do more'
A World Health Organization (WHO) report due to be released in 2015 is expected to show the number of teenagers who have self-harmed has tripled over the last decade in England.A World Health Organization (WHO) report due to be released in 2015 is expected to show the number of teenagers who have self-harmed has tripled over the last decade in England.
Around 6,000 teenagers - some as young as 11 - were surveyed for the Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children report.Around 6,000 teenagers - some as young as 11 - were surveyed for the Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children report.
Of the 15-year-olds sampled, 22% said they had hurt themselves on purpose, while 43% said they self-harmed at least once a month.Of the 15-year-olds sampled, 22% said they had hurt themselves on purpose, while 43% said they self-harmed at least once a month.
Professor Keith Hawton, from the Centre for Suicide Research at Oxford University, wants schools to be bold by addressing the problem directly.Professor Keith Hawton, from the Centre for Suicide Research at Oxford University, wants schools to be bold by addressing the problem directly.
He said: "We've got to think prevention here as well - what more can be done through schools to try and reduce the levels of self-harm through psychological well-being programmes.He said: "We've got to think prevention here as well - what more can be done through schools to try and reduce the levels of self-harm through psychological well-being programmes.
"These are being tested," he added, "but I think this is really important. [It is] about prevention and not just treatment after the event.""These are being tested," he added, "but I think this is really important. [It is] about prevention and not just treatment after the event."
As part of the Autumn Statement this month, the government announced it would invest more than £100m in mental healthcare for young people over five years, with the intention of making it easier for them to get specialist help in their community.As part of the Autumn Statement this month, the government announced it would invest more than £100m in mental healthcare for young people over five years, with the intention of making it easier for them to get specialist help in their community.
Care minister Norman Lamb told the BBC "Self-harm is a sign of serious emotional distress and it is crucial that young people get the help they need" adding that he had created a Taskforce to advise on improvements to care. Care minister Norman Lamb told the BBC self-harm was a "sign of serious emotional distress and it is crucial that young people get the help they need" adding that he had created a Taskforce to advise on improvements to care.
But campaigners argue that in order to reduce self-harm, there needs to be a cultural shift in society where teachers and parents are not afraid to address the topic in the first place.
Hear Sima Kotecha's full report on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, on Friday from 06:00-09:00 GMT - or catch up online.Hear Sima Kotecha's full report on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, on Friday from 06:00-09:00 GMT - or catch up online.