Two of the country's busiest mental health services have warned that children as young as 10 are presenting with self-harm.

St Patrick's Mental Health Services and Pieta House are highlighting the need for more education about this issue, particularly among parents and those working with young people.

Pieta House provides therapeutic services to people who are self-harming, who are having suicidal thoughts, or who have been bereaved by suicide. It pointed out that it has seen a 23% increase in the number of clients presenting with self-harm since 2017.

"This is a significant increase and we want to highlight the importance of awareness on self-harm and positive mental health and tackling the stigma surrounding mental health issues," commented its senior clinical director, Lena Lenehan.

Figures from the National Suicide Research Foundation (NSRF) show that the highest rates of self-harm in both males and females during the first six months of 2018 were found in teenagers and young adults.

During this period, there were 6,124 self-harm presentations to hospitals, a 4% increase compared to the same period in 2017.

The NSRF also noted a 21% increase in self-harm in 10-24-year-olds between 2007 and 2017.

"The increase in the incidence of self-harm presentations since 2010 highlights the fundamental need for further education, awareness and understanding around self-harm.

"In reality, the incidences of self-harm are even higher than the recorded figures as many people will not present to hospitals at all, often as a result of the stigma and negative attitudes towards mental health difficulties that are still engrained within Irish society," commented Tom Maher, director of services at St Patrick's Mental Health Services, which is Ireland's largest, independent not-for-profit mental health service.

Meanwhile, research also suggests that there are twice as many incidences of self-harm in the LGBTI community than in the non-LGBTI community.

According to Monnine Griffith, executive director of BeLonG To Youth Services, which offers support and counselling to LGBTI people, growing up LGBTI can be challenging, ‘particularly when someone is hiding their sexual orientation or gender identity'.

"Discovering and beginning to accept that part of your identity is often associated with a sense of isolation, fear of rejection and confusion. Feelings of anxiety, depression and loneliness are everyday realities for many LGBTI young people, resulting in two times the level of self-harm compared to their non-LGBTI friends.

"The presence of a supportive adult can be a lifeline for LGBTI young people. Together we can create a safer, more supportive Ireland where all of our young people belong," Ms Griffith said.

St Patrick's Mental Health Services and Pieta House are highlighting this issue to coincide with Self-Injury Awareness Day (March 1). As part of this, they are hosting the 4th annual Self-Harm Awareness Conference in St Patrick's University Hospital on March 1, which includes topics such as opportunities for intervention, a practical guide for parents and educators and the importance of youth work in reducing rates of self-harm.

For more information on St Patrick's Mental Health Services, click here
For more information on Pieta House, click here
For more information on BeLonG To, click here