One self harm injury every two days in Hartlepool

One person every two days was treated for a self harm injury in Hartlepool last year, according to new figures.
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Public Health England data shows that – unlike the national trend – men are more likely to require urgent hospital for self-harm injuries than women in the area and the Mental Health Foundation say that all genders should remain a priority for mental health support.

The data shows that there were 210 admissions to hospital through accident and emergency for self-harm injuries in Hartlepool in 2019-20.

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That is a rate of 216 admissions per 100,000 women, and 252 per 100,000 men.

Across England, the figureswere 247 per 100,000 among women, and 140 for men in 2019-20 – meaning nearly two-thirds of the 108,000 patients admitted were female.

Catherine Seymour, head of research at the Mental Health Foundation, said: "It is possible that women and girls are more likely to recognise and report mental distress and self-harm than men and boys.

"We need to consider all genders a priority for mental health support."

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Stephen Buckley, head of information at Mind, said: “The figures don’t necessarily mean that females are more likely than males to self-harm, but may indicate greater willingness to ask for support and treatment, whether that’s medical help or by reaching out to friends and family.

Nadine Dorries, minister for mental health, said: "Mental health services have remained open over the last year and we are constantly improving support and access to services – investing £57m million a year in suicide prevention.”