Rising numbers of young people exhibiting self-harming behaviours are being detained for treatment under mental health law, according to analysis by a watchdog.

There have been 608 detentions of 16 and 17-year olds under the Mental Health Act since 2014. This relates to 402 people, with some detained more than once.

Numbers being detained in this way, which can be traumatic for the young person and their family, have risen from just over 100 in 2014-15 to 173 in 2018-19.

It comes against the backdrop of rising numbers of young people reporting mental problems of varying severity.

Over the period looked at by the Mental Welfare Commission, six in ten patients displayed self-harming behaviour, which includes suicidal thoughts, plans and action, as well as deliberate self-harm.

Detention orders are used when someone needs treatment but is unable to consent to being taken into hospital.

One parent said they felt “utterly alone” during the process and were only asked for “token” input as their daughter, who struggles with bipolar disorder and anorexia, was detained for treatment.

Most of the teenagers were hospitalised for treatment using short-term detention certificates, which last up to 28 days.

A smaller number were subject to emergency detention certificates, which allow for a person to be held in hospital for up to 72 hours while their condition is assessed.

Just over 60% of the young people admitted to hospital involuntarily were girls.

The mother quoted by the Mental Welfare Commission, who wishes to remain anonymous, told how they felt cut out of discussions about their daughter’s care. 

“Of course we understood and respected our daughter’s need for confidentiality, but there felt no true or meaningful connection with us as her family: we were so aware of every change in her behaviours or moods,” she said.

“Over time, this left us drained, exhausted and took its toll on our own mental health, at the very point we needed support to keep some strength and resilience.

‘If I could distil down something constructive and pour it into all the services we’ve been through, it would be this – we desperately want to get things the best they can be, not waste precious energy battling nor trying to be heard.

“Your “patient” is our whole world: we’re living this; we’re probably exhausted, scared, at our most vulnerable, and juggling other family or work commitments too. Please connect with us as human beings and take time to listen to what we have to say.”

The Commission did not look at the reasons behind increasing detentions, but warned numbers displaying self-harming behaviour are rising.

It voiced concern that mental health officers, specialist social workers trained in mental health issues, only gave their consent in half of the cases over the five years.

‘The safeguard of an independent mental health officer consenting to the detention is an important one and the fact that this does not seem to be reliably used to protect the interests of young people is concerning,’ the report states.

It follows warnings that three-quarters of councils are facing mental health officer shortages, as numbers leaving the profession increase.

Issues with the recording of ethnicity and postcode data are also highlighted, which the watchdog says affects the quality of analysis it can provide.

Mental Welfare Commission medical director Dr Arun Chopra said the body is discussing the report and the experience of families and carers with the NHS later this month.

“Mental illness in young people can be short-term, or can be the start of a prolonged period of difficulty,” he said.

“It can disrupt education, the development of friendships and the transition into adulthood, significantly affecting both the young person and their family or carers. Getting the right help early can make a major difference.”

In response to the report, Mental Health Minister Clare Haughey said the Scottish government was investing in children’s mental health services and community support.

She said: “I am grateful for the work the Mental Welfare Commission has undertaken, and acknowledge that there needs to be further research undertaken to understand the reason for the increase in the rise of numbers of detentions.”

“It is therefore welcome that the Commission is looking to expand their detention data to provide further insights where possible.   

“We know that self-harm is not only a risk factor in suicide, but is also a complex behaviour that people use as a form of self-management. Our recently published Mental Health Transition and Recovery Plan outlines an action to improve our understanding of the prevalence and nature of self-harm in Scotland.

“We will continue to work in close collaboration with partners, including local authorities, to ensure that we can respond appropriately.”

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