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Health is set to review a spike in serious cases of self-harm, after 137 admissions to hospital were recorded in the first six months of this year – with 46 involving those under the age of 20.
Mental Health Director Andy Weir confirmed that both adult and children’s mental health services would be looking into all 2024 self-harm cases to better understand patterns and causes.
"Self-harm is a complicated issue, and it isn't always linked to suicidal intent," Mr Weir told Express.
"Increasingly, we're seeing some young people who report using self-harm as a way of coping."
His comments come after a request for information under the Freedom of Information Law revealed the figures for the last nine years.
The data showed that the number of islanders under the age of 20 who attended the Emergency Department due to self-harm more than doubled between 2019 and 2021, from 43 to 95.
Pictured: Attendances at Jersey General Hospital’s Emergency Department due to self-harm, by age group, from 2015 to July 2024.
In 2022 and 2023, 77 and 71 cases of individuals under the age of 20 were dealt with at the Hospital.
"We wanted to have a real look at this data," the director said. "We're looking at trying to separate out people under 18 from people 18 to 20."
Mr Andy also highlighted that the the data reflects the number of cases rather than individuals, and that the severity of the recorded self-harm incidents will vary widely.
Pictured: Total attendances at the Emergency Department due to self-harm.
"This isn't number of individuals. It is the number of cases," he said. "The other thing it's really important to say about this data is it doesn't tell you anything at all about the nature of the self harm."
"So it could be that someone has superficially cut themselves, for example, right the way through to someone who's made a really serious attempt upon their life."
Local mental health charity Mind Jersey has shared advice and resources for young people on how to cope with difficult thoughts and reach out for help.
Anyone else affected by any of the issues raised in this article can seek help from services including:
Focus on Mental Illness: telephone 07797 710900 or email info@focusmi.org
Jersey Talking Therapies: JTT@health.gov.je or 01534 445002
Mind Jersey: admin@mindjersey.org or 07829 933 929
Listening Lounge: counselling@listeninglounge.care or 01534 866793The Samaritans: call 01534 116123
Mental health crisis support: If you experience a mental-health crisis, you can call 01534 445290 at any time.
Children and Families Hub: childrenandfamilieshub@gov.je or 01534 519000
Kooth: Kooth gives people between 13 and 25 years old free, anonymous online counselling and support.
The Mix: The Mix is a UK-based charity for under 25s that offers free support via, text or social media.
Childline: Childline is a British counselling service for children and young people aged up to 18. Call on 0800 1111.
Man Club: email jersey@man-club.org
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Pictured top: Andy Weir at Clinique Pinel, St Saviour's Hospital. (Rob Currie)
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