Hospital self-harm figures revealed

THERE were over 8,200 self-harm presentations to emergency departments in Northside hospitals between 2012 and 2015, according to HSE figures released to a Northside TD earier this month.

The total for the entire Dublin North East, which includes hospitals in Cavan, Drogheda and Navan, was 11,494.

The most presentations were at the Mater, which saw 3,175 over the three years, followed by Beaumont with 2,317 and Connolly Hospital in Dublin 15 with 2,197.

Temple Street Children’s Hospital had 492 presentations.

In the Mater, 663 patients who presented for self harm injuries either left without being seen or refused treatment. 

The figure for Connolly Hospital was 447 while in Beaumont it was 262.

The figures were released by the HSE’s National Office for Suicide Prevention in response to a parliamentary question from TD for Dublin Bay North, Tommy Broughan (Ind).

“Almost 11,500 Emergency Department presentations for self-harm over a four year period in just one HSE region is shocking and deeply upsetting,” he said.

“We must ensure that support and resources are available to the tens of thousands of people experiencing mental health difficulties and times of despair before they reach a stage of inflicting physical pain upon themselves.”

Deputy Broughan is calling for support for the Department of Health’s Connecting for Life strategy, which aims to reduce suicides in Ireland.

“These figures sadden me greatly and I welcome the Connecting for Life strategy to reduce suicide and self-harm rates,” he said.

“I sincerely hope that political will gets behind the strategy, which has been in place for two years now, and that we will begin to see some reductions in these numbers.” 

The HSE says suicide prevention measures in the Dublin North East region include counselling services, GP and Primary Care appointments, support phonelines and online services.

The HSE also provides funding for organisations that provide support for people suffering suicidal thoughts such as Pieta House, the Samaritans and Childline.