One in three girls have self-harmed

More than one in five young people aged 11 to 19 say they have engaged in self-harm, according to research released yesterday.

Teenagers reported that they had deliberately harmed themselves by methods including cutting, burning, punching and even poisoning, said the study by healthcare group Affinity, which provides mental health services to the NHS.

The problem was at its greatest among girls, one in three of whom said that they had hurt themselves.

Dr David Kingsley, who led the study, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Some self-harm isn't suicidal in intent, but is rather a way in which young people seek relief from emotional pain.

"Certainly, for very severe self-harm, things like physical and sexual abuse can be a factor, but in less serious self-harm, the top issue seems to be family relationship difficulties.

"Other things are relationships with friends and pressures at school."