Abstract
BackgroundDeliberate self harm is major public health problem, in particular among young people. Although several studies have addressed the prevalence of deliberate self harm among young people in the community, little is known about the extent to which deliberate self harm comes to the attention of medical services, the self harm methods used and the underlying motives. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of deliberate self harm in adolescents and the methods, motives and help seeking behaviour associated with this behaviour.MethodsA cross-sectional survey using an anonymous self-report questionnaire was administered in 39 schools in the Southern area of the Health Service Executive, Ireland. Of the 4,583 adolescents aged 15–17 years who were invited to participate in the survey, 3,881 adolescents took part (response: 85%).ResultsA lifetime history of DSH was reported by 9.1% (n = 333) of the adolescents. DSH was more common among females (13.9%) than males (4.3%). Self cutting (66.0%) and overdose (35.2%) were the most common DSH methods. A minority of participants accessed medical services after engaging in DSH (15.3%).ConclusionDSH is a significant problem in Irish adolescents and the vast majority do not come to the attention of health services. Innovative solutions for prevention and intervention are required to tackle DSH in adolescents.
Highlights
Deliberate self harm is major public health problem, in particular among young people
This paper reports the findings of a large-scale schoolbased survey in Ireland that investigated the prevalence of Deliberate self harm (DSH) and self harm thoughts in 15–17 year olds
A list of all schools within the Southern area of the Health Service Executive was obtained from the Department of Education and schools were divided according to whether they were in Counties Cork or Kerry or Cork city
Summary
Deliberate self harm is major public health problem, in particular among young people. Deliberate self harm (DSH) is a major public health problem in Ireland. Young people are those most at risk, young women aged 15–19 years who had the highest incidence of DSH based on hospital presentations to A&E departments in 2004, 606 per 100,000[1]. While the rate for young men of the same age is considerably lower, it is notable at 301 per 100,000[1] These incidence rates are likely to be the 'tip of the iceberg' as they do not include cases who do not present to hospital after an act of DSH.
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