ITV Tyne Tees 'teenage self-harm' investigation
An investigation by ITV News Tyne Tees shows that in some parts of our region the number of times teenagers are admitted to hospital after self-harming has almost doubled over the last four years. Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists have described the problem as epidemic.
One teenager spoke to us about self-harming.
Warning, some may find the photograph below distressing.
Aimee Wilson tried to kill herself. She was in intensive care on life support. Aimee said that it began with scratching but eventually led to her taking more than 60 over-doses. Aimee's trigger was abuse by someone outside her family.
Aimee was admitted to a psychiatric hospital where she received trauma therapy.
At 26 years old, a decade after the abuse, she is now feeling well and writes a blog to help others who are living with mental illness.
Experts believe the underlying driver for self-harming is emotional distress.
They say that the common factors are often inability to cope at school and unsupportive family life.
The York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has seen the highest rise in the region
In County Durham and Darlington the number rose. It was the second highest number of hospital admissions.
The hospitals on Teesside used to see a high number of young people who deliberately hurt themselves. But admissions have fallen after a new 24 hour crisis service was set up.
If you are affected, help is available here: