There was no increase in self-harm rates during the second year of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021, contrary to fears. The registry said that during 2021, a total of 12,661 self-harm presentations were made to hospital by 9,533 individuals. The rate of individuals presenting to hospital following self-harm in 2021 was 196 per 100,000, similar to the rate of 200 per 100,000 reported in 2020. Last year, in 2020, the peak rate was among 25-29 year-old men, though in the years prior to that, the peak rate was consistently among 20-24 year olds. The number of self-harm presentations subsequently increased across the first four months of 2021 when Level 5 restrictions applied.

Source: Irish Independent February 14, 2024 19:41 UTC