Rise in self-harm among young military recruits

REPORTED cases of soldiers, sailors and airmen self-harming have risen by a quarter this decade, with teenage recruits the worst affected, figures show.

The number of cases has risen by 26 per cent across the military since 2011 and by 57 per cent among teenagers.

The figures were requested by a coroner investigating the death of a young soldier found shot dead at Deepcut barracks and released a day after the Army unveiled a recruiting drive emphasising emotional support and inclusivity.

Army sources said the rise in selfharm mirrored an increase in wider society and was partly due to better recording of cases. Medics are taking more care to look out for the signs, while a new generation is also more likely to admit self-inflicted injuries.

The rate of deliberate self-harm rose from 2.2 cases per 1,000 in 2011 to 2.8 cases per 1,000 in 2017. The rise was most evident in the Army and among under-25s and recruits yet to be fully trained. Ministry of Defence analysis said that overall the rate was lower than in the civilian world.