Self-harm incidence among children and young people 2019-2023: time series analysis of electronic health records in Greater Manchester, England.

Background: The mental health of children and adolescents has declined in recent years. Self-harm is frequently an expression of this psychological distress.

Objectives: To examine trends in self-harm incidence among 10-24-year olds between January 2019-December 2023.

Methods: We conducted time-series analyses of all incident episodes of self-harm among 10-24-year olds using the Greater Manchester Care Record. The observation period was split into four phases: pre-pandemic (1/2019-2/2020); pandemic phase 1 (3/2020-6/2021); pandemic phase 2 (7/2021-12/2022) and post-pandemic (1/2023-12/2023). Rate ratios by sex, age, ethnicity and Indices of Multiple Deprivation were modelled using negative binomial regression.

Findings: Self-harm incidence rates decreased significantly in the post-pandemic phase, compared with the pre-pandemic period (male-incident rate ratios (IRR) 0.72; 95% CI 0.62 to 0.84, female IRR 0.85; 95% CI 0.74 to 0.99). In females, this followed increased rates, rising by 18% in pandemic phase 2 (IRR 1.18; 95% CI 1.04 to 1.34). In males, rates decreased throughout the study period. Incidence rates were lowest for 10-12 year olds. However, the greatest increase was observed in this age group, with rates in pandemic phase 2 being almost two times that seen pre-pandemic for females (IRR 1.91; 95% CI 1.47 to 2.48). The change in rates among females was also most marked in the least deprived neighbourhoods, rising by more than 50% (IRR 1.54; 95% CI 1.21 to 1.95) in pandemic phase 2.

Conclusions: Our results indicate a decrease in self-harm incidence during 2023. Analysis by age group showed the greatest increase in rates in 10-12-year olds. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and to identify the mechanisms driving these trends.