by Martin Jefferies

Hundreds of Kent children are admitted to hospital every year after self harming, KentOnline can reveal.

In total, 542 under-18s were treated in 2010/11 after deliberately hurting themselves.

But experts fear even more young people in the county self harm without seeking medical help - potentially at least 25,000 every year.

Lucie Russell, director of campaigns at YoungMinds, a charity working to improve children's mental health and well-being, said: "Sadly I'm not surprised at these figures but they are very worrying.

"We know lots of young people resort to self harm as a way of dealing with very difficult emotions, feelings and experiences. Sometimes people self harm because of things that are going on in their lives, such as sexual abuse or physical abuse, and it’s a symptom that you're experiencing emotional turmoil.

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SOURCES OF HELP

YoungMinds - http://www.youngminds.org.uk

Childline -http://www.childline.org.uk or 0800 1111

Rethink - http://www.rethink.org or 0845 456 0455

National Self Harm Network - http://www.nshn.co.uk or 0800 622 6000

Mind - http://www.mind.org.uk or 0300 123 3393

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"Although it can be difficult for others to understand, self harm is a coping mechanism for some children, who say it makes them feel better. But it's actually an extremely destructive and negative way of dealing with emotional problems and it's something they must seek help about because it's abusive and it's dangerous."

The Mental Health Foundation estimates that between one in 12 and one in 15 young people self harm.

Injuries can include cuts, burns or broken bones, although some youngsters harm themselves by drinking alcohol or taking drugs.

Figures seen by KentOnline show that more children were admitted to the Medway Maritime Hospital after self harming than anywhere else in Kent.

Around 140 were admitted last year, compared to 90 at the William Harvey Hospital, Ashford, and 13 at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital, Canterbury.

Ms Russell warned that the "unprecedented pressure" to achieve at school or to find a job, as well as the violence seen on the streets of London in recent days, is having a detrimental effect on young people's well being.

She said: "It's not a great world to be growing up in. There are constant examinations at school, it's getting harder and harder to secure a place at university as tuition fees become more expensive and one in five young people haven't got a job.

"The violence and the rioting we have seen this week are frightening for children and I don't think we’re doing enough to keep them safe. We're subjecting them to a world that is quite ruthless and that is going to have an effect on their their mental health."