Dads can help stop self-harm epidemic
FeW things are more desperate than the plight of children who self- harm. Hospital admissions for such injuries have more than doubled since 2011.
Tragically, there are likely to be many more instances (albeit less serious, thankfully) than the 3,988 youngsters aged nine to 17 that NHS figures show were treated in hospital. Many others — mostly girls but boys are affected, too — also secretly self- mutilate and their parents don’t notice.
of course, there are many reasons for self-harming. Feelings of worthlessness. An obsession with body image. The bombardment online of selfies from friends and celebrities. Social media ‘normalising’ self-harm by displaying graphic images of youngsters injuring themselves.
It is also unhelpful when someone who most of us would consider skinny is called fat.
For example, a 5ft 10in model with a 24½-inch waist has said she was told she was ‘too big’.
Former Vogue cover star edie Campbell revealed that this was the reason she was told she had been dropped at the last minute from appearing at Milan Fashion Week. Wittily, she added that ‘by being “too big”, I didn’t mean “too famous”’.
While it’s right to blame Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, another factor — often seen as a taboo subject — has contributed to girls having low esteem.
That is the absence of a fatherfigure in their lives. The truth is that nearly a quarter of families with young children — around two million — are being raised by only one parent, usually mum.
Practically all research shows the importance of girls having a father who can tell them they look perfect and that nothing is beyond their reach if they put in the effort and are given the right support.
Take it from me, the relationship between a dad and daughter is both sacred and empowering.
Which is not to denigrate the influence of mums. They play an equally vital, but different, role.
With the NHS increasingly under pressure, it would help tremendously if more fathers gave their daughters that boost of self-confidence which meant they aren’t vulnerable to influences that might make them self-harm.
I reckon it’s time for a new movement, #MeDadToo.