Haroon Hamid
NHS, UK
Title: Self-harm- A growing concern: A population based cohort study observing the rates of self-harm on a small rural island
Biography
Biography: Haroon Hamid
Abstract
Self harm is a growing concern within the UK. Findings have shown a steadily increasing trend, especially amongst adolescents to have a tendency to self-harm. Recognition of this problem is poor and healthcare response to this problem is inadequate. Recent awareness campaigns within the UK have looked to demonstrate the seriousness of this problem through hard hitting facts and statistics. Rates of self-harm were observed over a 2 year period on the Isle of Man, a small rural isolated island population, forming part of the UK. National statistics do not include the Isle of Man. Limited data was found on initial searches. Data was subsequently collated and observed for comparison.
Data was collected through observing attendances through the Emergency Department for self-harm over a 2 year period. This was thought to provide the most accurate and reliable representation of the degree of the problem being studied- with the Emergency Department being the place of safety for the Island and the most likely place for those self harming to attend through. Cases were analysed from ED records for trends in attendance and patterns in attendance. Figures obtained were compared to UK national statistics. Individual cases were studied to compare if national guidelines were being met and to observe where changes and improvements could be made. A significantly higher observed number of cases of self-harm than the UK (300:100,000 in UK, 4000:100,000 on Isle of Man). 1:20 16 and 17 year old found to have a history of self-harm. Higher figures were expected, but these were significantly higher than we would expect to see. National guidelines provide a framework for clinicians, often this was not being adequately met. Found to be a significant problem on the Isle of Man. Awareness needs to be raised of this issue. It is a problem in UK itself, heightened in rural isolated populations. More research and data is needed worldwide on this topic. More awareness of this topic needs to be raised. Children and young adults need greater protection and more research into the reasons why people are self harming is needed.