PROGRESS has been made in strengthening mental health services across Barnsley after devastating figures revealed the town has the highest number of emergency admissions of children and young people in Yorkshire due to self-harm.
Office for Health Improvement and Disparities figures based on NHS England data show there were around 140 hospital admissions for self-harm for people aged ten to 24 in Barnsley in the year to March 2023.
Local figures are rounded to the nearest five.
Across England, there were 319 admissions due to self-harm per 100,000 young people.
The rate was higher in Barnsley, with 374.9 such admissions per 100,000.
There was also a significant difference between the rates for boys and girls in the area 239.5 and 517.8 respectively meaning girls were two times more likely to be admitted to hospital following a self-harm incident.
A report, which was discussed by health bosses at a South Yorkshire ICB meeting on Wednesday, states that work is progressing well to improve mental health support for people in Barnsley.
There are a number of schemes aimed to support young people with their mental health, including Kooth.
Kooth is a free, safe, anonymous online emotional wellbeing community that is accessible 24/7, 365 days of the year and provides access to chat sessions with BACP-accredited counsellors and qualified emotional wellbeing practitioners.
The Night Owls service a confidential support line for people who are in crisis that is currently running in West Yorkshire will be implemented in Barnsley next month.
The report states: “Barnsley’s has the highest number of emergency admissions of children and young People in Yorkshire and Humber due to self harm.
“Progress has been made in the last 12 months to reduce this position by introducing the Kooth online service and wider mental health support services operating during the day time.
“In addition, Barnsley is in the process of implementing an all age 24/7 mental health crisis telephone response services to ensure people have appropriate, immediate support, which will de-escalate the crisis and integrate with the most appropriate support.
“This aims to provide support people with their mental health, reduce self-harm and the number of attendances to hospital.
“The children and young people’s service, known as Night Owls will be available from April and can be accessed through 111 (option two).
“These services will be closely analysed for impact, whilst alongside this, a full review of all children and young people’s mental and emotional health services is taking place to ensure all resources are being used effectively and identify opportunities for improvement.”
Stephanie Peacock, MP for Barnsley South, added: “It is incredibly alarming to see that the rate of young people being hospitalised due to self-harm is higher than in other parts of the country.
“I will be writing to the Yorkshire ICB Board to understand more about why this is happening, and what can be done to bring these concerning rates down.
“In the meantime, I encourage anyone who feels like they may do something to hurt themselves to speak to someone they trust to ask for help.
“There are lots of excellent organisations who can offer support, including Rotherham and Barnsley Mind on 01226 211 188, Samaritans of Barnsley on 0330 094 5717, or you can text SHOUT to 85258.”
