MLA’S SHOCK AS 34 DERRY TEENS ATTEND HOSPITAL OVER SELF-HARMING

THERE is shock today at the high levels of teenagers attending Altnagelvin Hospital for self-harm or suicidal thoughts.

According to figures released today by the Department of Health, there were were 880 such cases at the Derry hospital between April 1 to December 31, 2014.

And most alarming was the figure that 34 of those patients were under the age of 16.

Ulster Unionist Party Health spokeswoman Jo-Anne Dobson has expressed shock at the information given to her party.

She said the statistics were “frightening”.

The MLA added: “We have one of the world’s highest rates of poor mental health and wellbeing.

“The problem is prevalent across our adult population, but what is perhaps less well-known is how the issue affects our young people.

“Figures were not available for other years we sought, so in reality the situation is likely to be much worse.”