Alarm over rise in self-harming

Self-harming is seen as a way of dealing with intense emotions

An increase of almost 10% in the number of people self-harming in Northern Ireland over the past five years is being highlighted by a conference.

It is being organised by the North and West Belfast Health and Social Services Trust and the Mater Hospital.

Each year, the hospital's casualty unit deals with about 1,000 cases of people deliberately hurting themselves.

The conference aims to address the lack of information for sufferers and parents, and to educate health workers.

Karl Tooher of Self Harm Ireland said the meeting was vitally important to help people understand what is becoming a growing problem.

"We are seeing increasing rates of self-harm, particularly amongst young people," he said.

"Most of the problems surrounding self-harm come from people not understanding what it is, reacting badly, not putting services into place or, within those services, not fully understanding how people who self harm ought to be worked with."