According to new research by the University of Nottingham, between 1992 and 2012 there has been a 27% increase in young people self-poisoning. Both intentional poisoning in 16-17 year old girls and alcohol poisonings in 15-16 year olds both ‘roughly doubled’, according to BBC Newsbeat. The study found that in particular, intentional poisonings had increased.
They also found that teenagers in poor areas are the most at risk and are up to three times more likely to poison themselves, be it deliberate or accidental. The Guardian also reports that the reseach found almost two in three poisonings are intentional.
Self-poisoning is a type of self-harm and according to Selfharm UK includes ‘overdose-type actions’ and can involve alcohol, prescription or illegal drugs and over the counter medication. It may also include consuming things that are toxic to humans.
Researchers suggested that the rise in alcohol poisonings could be down to the increased availability of substances, and that ‘social and psychological support for adolescents’ in vulnerable areas is one way to combat this increase.
The research comes as Mental Health Awareness week is underway and research shows a huge concern over the lack of mental health support for children's mental health survices with a fifth of parents who sought treatment were refused it, according to Sky News.[
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The NHS has faced continued mental health cuts: in 2015 mental health services for children and young people in England were cut by £35 million and beds for mental health patients have been reduced by 8% since 2010, although in January David Cameron pledged £1 billion of funding in mental health services. This is despite figures that show 1 in 10 young people will experience a mental health problem, and 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem.
If you ever find yourself considering self-poisoning or any other form of self-harming, please do seek help from a medical professional or someone you trust.
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This article originally appeared on The Debrief.