The Health Minister has welcomed the publication of the two year report from the Northern Ireland Registry of Deliberate Self-Harm.

This report presents data from January 2007 until December 2008, which covers the Registry’s first two years in existence.

The Registry of Deliberate Self Harm was piloted in the Western Trust area of Northern Ireland as part of the rollout of the ‘Protect Life – A Shared Vision’ – the Suicide Prevention Strategy.

Key Findings from the report:

• In 2007, 1,369 presentations due to self-harm were made by 1,043 individuals.
• In 2008, 1,323 presentations due to self-harm were made by 1,048 individuals.
• Repeat attendances accounted for one in four (23.8%) of all attendances to the Emergency Departments in the Western Trust in 2007. In 2008, there were one in five repeat attendances (20.8%).
• Combined data from 2007 and 2008 show the highest rates of self-harm were among the 35-44 year females and 25-34 year old males.
• There were a greater number of presentations on a Saturday and Sunday.
• Alcohol, while not a main method of self-harm, featured as a major contributing factor and was involved in 63.8% of all episodes of self-harm. There was a 10% increase in episodes involving alcohol from 2007 to 2008 (59.2% to 68.5%)

Commenting on the findings in the report, the Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said: “This is a very important report as it provides us with a greater understanding of deliberate self-harm – the methods being used and the times when self-harming is occurring in the community.

“It also provides Health and Social Care with information that allows services to be planned in response to those requiring our help.

“It is particularly worrying that alcohol is reported as a contributing factor in a large number of the cases registered. Addressing alcohol misuse continues to be a key priority for my Department. In June 2009, I launched a cross-Departmental action plan specifically seeking to address alcohol misuse among our children and young people, and this builds on the wide range of initiatives already in place through the New Strategic Direction for Alcohol and Drugs. In addition, I have asked the Public Health Agency to pilot a one-stop-shop project for young people, which can provide information, advice, support and signposting to those young people and their families affected by substance misuse, but also addressing related issues such as suicide and self-harm and mental health and wellbeing.

“Last week I launched the ‘Card Before You Leave’ scheme which will ensure that all patients who are considered to be at risk of self-harm are given a card providing information for further support when they are discharged from hospital. This is the latest in a range of measures that I have introduced to try to reduce the devastating impact that suicide and self-harm have on our society. I have also asked for the Deliberate Self-Harm registry to be extended to cover the Belfast Trust area with immediate effect.”