Under-12s now being treated for self-harm

Scottish hospitals are treating hundreds of children aged 12 and under who have self-harmed, according to newly released figures from NHS Scotland.

Over the past four years, more than 230 teenagers have been admitted after they either hurt themselves intentionally or poisoned themselves.

The figures from NHS Scotland, which were released after a freedom of information request, confirmed that 50 pre-teens were taken to hospital for self harming in 2014-15, 52 in 2015-16, 76 in 2016-17 and 58 in 2017-18.

An NHS spokeswoman said: “Recording of self-harm as a secondary diagnosis may not always be performed and levels of recording may vary from hospital to hospital.

“It is therefore likely that the counts provided here are an underestimate of the true figure.”

The Scottish Children’s Services Coalition has called for urgent action.

A spokesman said: “The increase in the number of under-12s admitted to hospital for self-harm is very concerning, but we would surmise the figures supplied are only the tip of the iceberg.

“Self-harm is often a private coping strategy, with many more young people who fear stigmatisation deliberately avoiding contacting services.”