Self-harm above average – as Halton works to help trouble teens
SELF-HARM in 10 to 24 year olds in Halton is above the England average, sparking concern among Halton councillors.
A report to the Health And Wellbeing Board showed that Halton has the fifth highest self-harm rates in the North West for 10-24 year olds.
There has been a fall of 22% of the rates from 2016 to 2017, however the gap between Halton and the North West and England as a whole is not yet closing and the trends are showing annual fluctuations.
However, these rates are only based on hospital admissions and do not include A&E and primary care, so are likely to be greater than reported.
The council has brought health and education partners together to help improve the mental health and wellbeing of young people in the borough.
The Integrated Wellness Service has been working with schools to assess their wellbeing and needs and helping them start programmes to improve mental health and wellbeing.
It means pupils are more capable of dealing with stress, anxiety, exam pres- sure and self-esteem issues which could lead to selfharm.
The programmes include learning about and implementing the five ‘mental health ways to wellbeing’ mindfulness, relaxation techniques and yoga and private listening sessions.
The team runs bitesize classes on child mental health for parents and have developed a guide to supporting children and young people who self harm.
Halton 0-19 Healthy Child Service is also available to provide self-harm awareness, advice and guidance for young people in a variety of settings, confidential drop-in services at schools or colleges and at every contact at which an holistic health assessment is undertaken.
Young people who do not like talking to people are being encouraged to use KOOTH, an online mental health counselling website.
And parents looking for support on self-harm can talk to Papyrus, a voluntary organisation that helps par- ents.
Each school has a child and adolescent mental health link specialist who can provide support, education and advice where needed.
There are also child and adolescent mental health services which treat young people with acute needs.
Councillor Marie Wright, portfolio holder for health and wellbeing, said: “We take the mental health of children very seriously in Halton and we are working to address self-harm and ensure the numbers of children affected continue to fall.” ●