Northern Ireland self-harm statistics published by PHA

The second annual report from the Northern Ireland Self-Harm Registry will be launched today by the Public Health Agency (PHA) at a major symposium on self-harm.
 
The Northern Ireland Registry of Self-Harm Annual Report 2013/14 is an analysis of the prevalence of self-harm presentations to the 12 local Emergency Departments of Northern Ireland’s hospitals. The purpose of the Registry is to improve understanding about self-harm and related behaviours in Northern Ireland and to help shape the development of services and support to meet the need represented by the registry.

The report is being launched at the 2015 Self-Harm Symposium: A Global Challenge. The event is being held to mark the beginning of Self-Harm Awareness Week. The day-long learning event is for professionals from the statutory and community and voluntary sectors working in the field of self-harm. A second event is being held for families and carers with experience of self harm on Saturday 28 February.

Speaking at the event, Health Minister Jim Wells said: “As we approach Self-Harm Awareness Week, today’s event offers a timely opportunity to talk about self-harm and raise awareness of an issue that is often misunderstood. Being open about self-harm can encourage people to share their feelings and may be the start of a journey to recovery.

“Highlighting over 12,000 attendances at our Emergency Departments due to self-harm or suicidal thoughts, the Self -Harm Registry report provides us with a better understanding of the extent of these issues in Northern Ireland. Unfortunately, those presenting at ED are thought to be only the tip of the iceberg. Sadly, many will not seek help at all.

“While the numbers attending hospital here are high, it is important to note that this shows people are listening to our message and are asking for help. This is critical. If we are to address the issue of suicide prevention we must continue to encourage those in crisis to seek support when they need it.”

Mary Black, PHA Assistant Director of Health and Wellbeing Improvement, said: “The publication of the second annual report is timely, with the forthcoming launch of the next suicide prevention strategy for Northern Ireland (2015-20) and the commissioning by the PHA of new self-harm community-based support services.

“The feedback from last year’s first annual report has been encouraging, receiving attention by a range of health and social care bodies, the community and voluntary sector and the media.

“There has been concerted effort to increase our understanding of the issues represented in the data, and perhaps more importantly, what can be done to raise greater awareness about the issue of self-harm, supporting carers and families and informing professionals working in this field in both the community and statutory sectors.”
 
The key findings of the report are that between April 2013 and March 2014:

• There were 8,453 self-harm presentations to Emergency Departments (ED) in Northern Ireland, involving 5,983 persons.

• Almost a third of presentations occurred in the Belfast Trust (30%), 18% in the South Eastern and Northern Trusts, and 17% in the Western and Southern Trusts.

Overall, there was an even balance of male and female presentations. However females were marginally overrepresented in the Northern (55%), Western (54%) and Southern Eastern (52%) Trust areas.

• One fifth (20%) of people presented with self-harm on more than one occasion during the twelve month period.

• Persons aged 15-29 accounted for almost half (44%) of all self-harm presentations, with 16% of presentations being made by 20-24 year olds, followed by 15-19 year olds (15%) and 25-29 year olds (13%).

• The European Age Standardised Rate (EASR) of self-harm in Northern Ireland was over two-thirds (64%) higher than that for the Republic of Ireland. However it should be noted that there are different heath systems in operation in each country. Health and social services provision ensures, there is free access to healthcare for all residents of Northern Ireland, while there is a fee for each visit to the ED in the Republic of Ireland for non-medical card holders.

• Comparing the incidence of hospital treated self-harm for those aged over 15 years in Northern Ireland with the Republic of Ireland and a number of study areas in England, Belfast City had the highest incidence rate of 632 per 100,000, followed by Derry/ Londonderry City (622), Limerick City (610) and Derby with a rate of 435 per 100,000.

• The total numbers of presentations in Northern Ireland for self-harm and suicidal ideation for the financial year 2013/14 was 12,076.

A second report will also be launched at today’s event,-The Northern Ireland Registry of Self-Harm: Western Area Six Year Summary Report 2007-2012. This report, the first of its kind in the UK or Ireland, looks at data which have continued to be collected from the western area since the pilot of the registry commenced back in 2007. This significant period has allowed for trends to be monitored over a period of time and demonstrates not only how the Northern Ireland-wide registry can be used in the future, but also the level of essential information that the registry can provide in relation to self-harm behaviour.

If you or someone you know is in distress or despair, call Lifeline on 0808 808 8000. This is a confidential service, where trained counsellors will listen and help immediately on the phone and follow up with other support if necessary. The helpline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also access the Lifeline website at www.lifelinehelpline.info

• The Samaritans guide to reporting responsibly about suicide can be found here: www.samaritans.org/your-community/samaritans-work-ireland/media-guidelines-ireland 

• The 2015 Self-Harm Symposium: A Global Challenge will be held at Riddel Hall.