Highland deliberate self-harm reach 1547 cases in five years according to new figures as LibDem Caithness, Sutherland and Ross candidate David Green says ‘clearly not enough is being done’
NEW figures reveal that in the last five years more than 1500 people were admitted to Highland emergency departments due to confirmed incidents of self-harm.
A freedom of information request by Highland Liberal Democrats show 1547 people were admitted with a diagnosis of deliberate self-harm.
That amounts to almost six people a week, prompting calls for the Scottish Government to increase investment in mental health services.
Self-harming can, according to NHS Inform, be described as a “physical expression of emotional distress” leading people to hurt themselves to try to feel better.
It is also the case that “some people who self-harm are at a higher risk of suicide” so it is vital to access “support as soon as possible to prevent suicidal thoughts.”
According to the most recent Scottish Health Survey, 25 per cent of 16 to 24-year-olds and 10 per cent of adults said they had self-harmed.
NHS Highland lags the rest of Scotland for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) service treatment target times.
The treatment target time is for 90 per cent of patients to receive a referral within 18 weeks but for NHS Highland those seen within 18 weeks in October-December of 2024 stood at just 67.8 per cent.
As we reported in March, the Scottish Government said it met its own CAMHS target for the first time between October and December 2024 since it was set back in 2014.
The treatment target time is for 90 per cent of patients to receive a referral within 18 weeks but figures for NHS Highland tell a different story.
For NHS Highland, those seen within 18 weeks in October-December of 2024 stood at just 67.8 per cent – that is 22.8 per cent behind the national rate.
The LibDem candidate for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, David Green said that given self-harm is such a serious issue then “clearly not enough is being done.”
“Such a high number of patients with a self-harm diagnosis is deeply worrying,” he said.
“We need greater action to help those struggling with their mental health; the alternative is unthinkable. Clearly not enough is being done.
“In schools alone, we know waits for mental health support are long and arduous despite the number of pupils identified with mental health problems sharply increasing.
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"I am pleased Scottish Liberal Democrat MSPs persuaded the Scottish Government to invest in GPs so they can recruit more specialists in mental health. But we need to do more.
“We need great focus on ramping up training, creating new dedicated specialist mental health beds for children and young people north of Dundee, and a clear ambition to succeed by appointing a dedicated mental health minister.”
While Neil Alexander, the Inverness and Nairn LibDem candidate: “Mental health support still falls far short of what is needed in the Highlands, especially in moments of crisis. These new statistics show just how much more the Scottish Government needs to do, particularly in our Highland communities.
“Charities like Mikeysline do vital work, but let’s be clear: it’s the government’s responsibility to ensure healthcare, mental and physical, is local and accessible.
“That means more trained professionals in every community. That’s why the Scottish Liberal Democrats are calling for an increase in training places for psychiatrists and clinical psychologists, as part of our dedicated plan for mental health in Scotland.”
Mental Wellbeing Minister Tom Arthur said: “I am determined to improve the mental health support provided to children and young people in Scotland.
“Whilst we are meeting the CAMHS standard at a national level, it’s vital we ensure NHS boards - including NHS Highland - are planning locally for service need and delivery.
“To drive improvements and access to support we are providing £123.5 million to NHS boards this year for all mental health services, including CAMHS.
“We are also continuing to fund access to counselling for every school in Scotland, as well as funding for local authorities to deliver community-based mental health services.
“Additionally, we have committed £1.5 million over the next two years to deliver bespoke support for people affected by self-harm, including those living in rural communities. We are working closely with partners to increase the recruitment, training and retention of psychiatrists and psychologists.”
NHS Inform suggested a number of ways to seek immediate help for those who are thinking about harming themselves. They include phoning the Samaritans on 116 123 or emailing jo@samaritans.org.
Breathing Space can be contacted on 0800 83 65 67 between 6pm to 2am Monday to Thursday and from 6pm Friday until 6am on Monday. And Calm can be reached on 0800 585 858 for those aged 15 years old or over from 5pm to midnight.