Findings from a new Maynooth University study show that almost half the people looking for help from crisis centres for the prevention of self-harm and suicide are under the age of 18.

One in five of them are 14 or younger, with adolescent girls the most at risk.

The Irish Independent reports that the first service-based study of its kind in Ireland on deliberate self-harm focused on 823 people who contacted centres in Dublin, Limerick and Tipperary run by Pieta House. The study was run over 15 months.

Adolescent girls account for more than seven in 10 of those contacting the Pieta House service after an episode of self-harm, or with suicidal thoughts.

Sadness, anger, stress, feeling overwhelmed and self-image issues were among the reasons given by people who had self-harmed. Sadness was more common in females, with anger more frequently cited by males.

Cindy O'Connor From Pieta House in Dublin says the assumption that these young people are coming from dysfunctional homes is wrong:

You can find out more about Pieta House on their website.