The number of children suffering from depression is on the rise around the globe and more needs to be done to care for them. New NHS guidelines in the UK said that children as young as five are showing signs of depression and nearly 80,000 children in the UK are living with the mental illness.

The UK has the highest rate of self-harming in Europe – as many as 1 in 10 children self-harm. This is an alarmingly high rate.

According to mental health experts, there are many reasons contributing to the increasing rates of mental health issues with children, including cyber bullying, pressure from social media websites and the breakdown of the family unit.

Figures in the UK suggest that more than 8,000 children under the age of ten suffer from depression. Dr Trainor says the increase in school-age children presenting with depression is a particularly worrying phenomenon.

Self-harm is when someone hurts themselves as a way of dealing with very difficult feelings or situations – things that might feel overwhelming for them.

It’s not usually a sign of suicidal feelings or even a cry for help – it’s a way to release overwhelming emotion and, perhaps, regain some control. Whatever the reason, it needs to be taken seriously because self-harming teenagers are feeling unhappy and can be at increased risk of mental health problems and suicidal feelings.

The ways teenagers hurt themselves can be physical, such as cutting, burning, hitting and even poisoning. However, self-harm can also be less obvious, such as putting not looking after themselves or behaving in risky ways. Once the practice has started, it might become compulsive.

Ways of self-harming can include:

• Cutting skin.
• Scratching and hair pulling.
• Burning the skin.
• Ingesting poisonous substances.
• Self-hitting.
• Overeating or under-eating.
• Inserting objects into the body.
• Overdosing.
• Exercising excessively.

After self-harming, teenagers and children sometimes feel a release and feel better temporarily and more able to cope for a while. However, self-harm in the longer term is very harmful mentally and physically. Sadly, children who self-harm might feel embarrassed or ashamed about it. It’s very common for them to keep it a secret.

Common triggers for self-harming behaviour in children and teenagers include:

• Pressures at school or home.
• Bullying or controlling friendships or relationships.
• Sexual, physical or emotional abuse.
• Confusion about sexuality or gender identity.
• Difficult feelings, such as stress, depression or anger.

Sometimes people – even health professionals – talk about self-harm as attention-seeking. This is a misguided judgement – and there have even been instances of treatment of self-harm in A&E or the ER being delayed because they think the injury was “done on purpose.” This sort of comment or judgement can leave someone who has self-harmed feeling judged and alienated. They will be far more likely to keep it a secret from then on if they receive comments like this.

It can be hard to spot signs of self-harm so don’t criticise yourself if you have missed things. Look out for:

• Physical signs include bruises, cuts, burns, & bald patches.
• Wearing long sleeves and long trousers or skirts, even in hot weather and avoiding wearing swimsuits or sports kit.
• Emotional signs are harder to spot and include depression, withdrawal, becoming isolated, low self-esteem, drinking and/or drug taking, a change in eating habits and/or weight (more or less),

There are several do’s and don’ts as a parent of a self-harming teenager or child;

• Don’t accuse your child of doing something bad, or trying to seek attention.
• Don’t get angry.
• Talk to her – listen hard – try to find the reason behind what’s going on.
• Let your teenager know, very clearly and without question, that you are there to support her.
• Think through who you tell very carefully.
• Seek professional help if you feel you don’t know what to do – call any of the numbers above in an emergency – talk to your child’s school and/ or doctor – it’s a much more common problem than most parents know, so the school and doctor should know what to do.

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NHS England is dedicated in ensuring that the principles and duties of safeguarding adults and children are holistically, consistently and conscientiously applied with the wellbeing of all, at the heart of what they do.