It is clear that as a rapidly increasing phenomenon self-harm is not an illness so much as a cultural movement. We urgently need more mental health resources for young people, and a change of focus on the way we see these despairing self-destructive actions. It’s important that children’s mental health and wellbeing are taken more seriously and they are able to access support quickly and easily before issues spiral out of control. There was also a growing awareness of the community and policy determinants of mental health. Prof Woody CaanFormer chair of the School Health Research Group, Duxford, Cambridge• Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com• Read more Guardian letters – click here to visit gu.com/letters• Do you have a photo you’d like to share with Guardian readers?

Source: The Guardian June 10, 2019 16:48 UTC