Three children a week self harming in South Tyne

NHS Digital data shows there were around 185 admissions for self-harm or self-poisoning for children aged between nine to 17 at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust in 2020-21.

This is lower than the 220 in 2019-20 but 125 of these were recorded between April and November last year – the first two-thirds of 2021-22.

Of the admissions last year in South Tyneside and Sunderland, around 175 were for self-poisoning.

The figures show there were 20,520 hospital admissions for self-harm or poisoning for youngsters aged nine to 17 recorded last year – up from 20,400 the year before, and the highest number since records began in 2007-08.

The NSPCC said the pandemic had been "extremely challenging" for young people – either for those isolated in abusive homes, or those adjusting to a different way of learning.

A spokeswoman said: “While children are incredibly resilient the pandemic has understandably taken a toll on their emotional wellbeing, which is why the NSPCC want to see the Government invest in an ambitious plan for children that includes more mental health support in both the classroom and the community.”

A Department for Health and Social Care spokeswoman said: “We are training a new dedicated mental health workforce for schools and colleges with mental health support teams to cover an estimated three million children and young people by 2023, and this will include support for pupils who are self-harming."