A study in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health has found minority ethnic children and teenagers account for proportionately more A&E visits after self-harming than white children.
Researchers investigated rates of self-harming by ethnicity after previous studies reported an increase in self-harm in young people. They used data from the Multicentre Study of Self-harm in England between 2000 and 2016 for young people aged 10 to 19 years old.
Minority ethnic children and adolescents accounted for an increased proportion of self-harm presentations to hospital over time, compared with white ethnic groups. The study also found the minority ethnic groups were less likely to receive a psychosocial assessment.
The study was funded by the Department of Health and Social Care.
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