Suicide
is the third most common cause of death in young people aged 15 –
24 and the sixth leading cause of death for 5 – 14 year olds.
Around 19,000 young people attempt suicide every year and about 700
of those will die as a result. There are a multitude of reasons for
why young people might opt for this very permanent and devastating
solution to what is, in all likelihood, a temporary problem but it is
known that low self-esteem and depression are key factors in many of
those who consider suicide as an answer.
It
is estimated that about 10% of all young people in the UK are
suffering from a mental health problem. However, up to two thirds of
children with mental health problems do not get the help that they
need. Early intervention can help to prevent mild depression
developing into deep despair, but often the provision is only
available to those with severe and urgent needs. Even in these cases
there may well be a waiting list. During any time of waiting, the
level of distress present at the outset may well become compounded,
causing the young person to suffer increasing levels of desperation.
With the advances
in neuroscience the medical profession have dramatically increased there ability to diagnose
and treat mental disorders. New therapies along with improvements in
the effectiveness of treatments make the need for early detection and intervention more fundemental than ever. We now know that mental illness is more
prevalent in youth than previously known and that the key to
successful treatment is early identification.
Suicide: Did you
know that suicide is the second biggest killer of young people in the
UK. There are 2 suicides by young people in the UK and Republic of
Ireland every day. More young men die from suicide than girls and
young women.
Self Harm: 3
young people self-harm every hour, more young women and girls
self-harm than boys. Self-Harm is on the increase in both boys and
girls
Depression: Of
the 15 million children and young people under 15 in the UK, 3
million have a mental health problem. This does not include
those young people between 15 and 18 which has a higher prevalence of
disorders.
deep despair, but often the provision is only
available to those with severe and urgent needs. Even in these cases
there may well be a waiting list. During any time of waiting, the
level of distress present at the outset may well become compounded,
causing the young person to suffer increasing levels of desperation.