Schools 'need help on self harm'
January 18, 2005
The national inquiry into self-harm, run by the Mental Health Foundation and the Camelot Foundation says schools need more training to help pupils who deliberately injure themselves. The inquiry founds training was patchy and inadequate and official health advice for teachers and school nurses ignores the subject.
But while pupils did not want staff acting as counselors, schools are the best place for other groups to get involved, the interim report says.
Many do not seek help because they fear raising the "taboo" subject, it found.
The inquiry says more training and information packs are vital to make sure those pupils who did contact schools got a supportive response.
Project Manager Dr Marcia Brophy said: "With education professionals under such pressure, external help is needed to support the one-in-10 teenagers in the UK who are hurting themselves."
The Mental Health Foundation estimates nearly half a million across the UK, self-harm - usually cutting or burning themselves, or taking overdoses - as a way of coping with emotional problems.
The inquiry warned last year there had been a disturbing increase in children who self-harm.
The inquiry is looking at how widespread the problem is, and how to deal with it. It is due to finish its work in the autumn.
An online copy of the report is available at
http://www.selfharmuk.org/docs/public%20report%20from%20mtg%203_education_final_1.doc
Source: Mental Health Foundation UK, 17/01/2005