Self-harm in mental health hospitals risen by over 50%

Luciana Berger, Shadow Minister for Public Health, has found that between 2010 and 2013 the number of people in mental health institutions who have attempted suicide or who have been found self-harming has risen by over 50%.

At 29 of the NHS’s 52 mental health trusts, the number of suicide attempts and cases of self-harming rose from 14,815 in 2010 to 23,053 last year –  an increase of 56% . These figures, obtained by the Labour Party through a Freedom of Information request, also show that in the last year, the number of these incidents has increased by almost 30%.

Experts warn that these new figures coincide with a crisis in the mental health services. Mental health spending has been cut for the first time in the decade – a recent investigation found that since 2012 NHS’s mental health trusts have lost over £250 million.

In April of this year, this same report found that compared to two years ago, there were 3,640 fewer nurses and 213 fewer doctors working in mental health services.  This means some mental health wards are operating over capacity, with some running at up to 138%.

In light of these figures, Berger has called for the Government to make changes within the mental health services:

“This increase in self-harm and suicide attempts on NHS wards is deeply concerning.

“Mental health services have been squeezed year on year, the number of specialist doctors and nurses has dropped and there aren’t enough beds to meet demand. The pressure this is putting on mental health wards is intolerable. 

“It is unacceptable that people in touch with mental health services may not be getting the support they need. These are some of the most vulnerable patients in our NHS. Ministers must now take urgent action to tackle this crisis.”