Irish medical researchers have found one in five children who deliberately harm themselves do so again despite medical intervention, and 10 per cent of them do so repeatedly. The study stresses parents who express concern about children self-harming are often right and need to be listened to.

The subjects of the study were children aged between eight and 15 years who were first seen at a hospital accident and emergency department because of deliberate self-harm. Overdose was the most common method used by 70 per cent of children. See: 'Evening Herald' (Ireland), 11 May 2009, http://tinyurl.com/qaq3d2 or http://www.herald.ie/national-news/20pc-of-children-who-self-harm-will-do-it-again-1735163.html

Source: Australian Infant, Child, Adolescent and Family Mental Health Association, newsletter, 'AICAFMHA, News in brief', 12 May 2009.