Data from US poison centres shows substance exposures associated with suspected self-harm have increased amongst children aged 6 to 12 years over the past two decades.

Key Findings

Between 2000 and 2023, calls to poison centres for this age group increased by 54%. Whilst 87% of reported exposures were unintentional overall, this proportion decreased with age: from 95% amongst 6-year-old children to 59% amongst 12-year-old children.

The rate of exposures associated with suspected self-harm or suicidal intent showed marked increases:

• Among 11-year-old children: increased nearly 400%, from approximately 7 to 34 per 100,000 children
• Among 12-year-old children: increased almost 350%, from 26 to 114 per 100,000 children

The Shift from Accidental to Intentional

The data reveals a concerning pattern: as children age from 6 to 12, substance exposures shift from being predominantly accidental to increasingly intentional. According to the research, whilst exposures amongst children younger than 6 years are typically unintentional, older children may ingest substances deliberately for experimentation or self-harm.

Implications

These findings indicate that self-harm-related behaviours are occurring at younger ages than previously documented. The dramatic increases, particularly the 400% rise amongst 11-year-olds, highlight the need for preteen self-harm prevention strategies that begin before adolescence.

The data suggests that secure storage of medications and potentially harmful substances remains critical for preteen self-harm prevention, alongside early mental health support and awareness programmes suited to primary school-aged children. Recognition of warning signs and early intervention may help address the emotional distress underlying these behaviours before they escalate.

Source: JAMA Network