The number of children seeking hospital treatment for self-harming issues has hit a record high, new figures have revealed.
Last year saw 1400 children attend hospital having self-harmed, the highest number since 2007.
The “shocking” figures were revealed in a parliamentary answer to Scottish Conservative MSP Miles Briggs.
Over 14,000 kids have presented self-harming issues at hospitals since 2007, while almost 125,000 adults have also been diagnosed with self-harming issues in that time.
The number of children recorded as having self-harmed has been over 1,000 in each year since 2013.
The Scottish Conservatives have warned that the Covid crisis has exacerbated mental health issues among young people and the figures for 2021 could be even worse.
He has also reiterated Scottish Conservative calls for ten per cent of the health budget to be ring-fenced for spending on mental health services.
Scottish Conservative MSP Miles Briggs said: “These figures are truly shocking. They lay bare the devastating effects the pandemic has had on our young people’s mental health and wellbeing.
“Covid has clearly exacerbated the problem but this distressing issue cannot be blamed entirely on the pandemic. There is a clear long-term trend that keeps getting worse.
“There were already far too many children and young people waiting for mental health treatment before Covid struck and those queues are growing.
“These statistics confirm the pressing need for more urgency from the Scottish Government. The faster that people get treatment, the less likely they are to harm themselves.
“The Scottish Conservatives will continue to push for at least ten per cent of the health budget to be ring-fenced for mental health services to ensure that vulnerable youngsters get the support they need immediately.”