FOUR new programmes are being launched to provide support to children who self-harm.

Between 2019 and 2020 600 children and young people were admitted to hospital because of self-harm in Oxfordshire, with some parts of Oxford City and Abingdon reporting higher rates than average.

To help tackle the issue Oxfordshire Discovery College has launched programmes to help young people and their families.

The 'Self Harm > Self Care' project looks to reduce the stigma of self-harm.

The programmes are available for all ages and seek to draw on a combination of 'lived and learned' experiences.

All programmes help participants to put together their own ‘toolkit’, filled with a variety of ways to cope, useful signposting, and information about the topic. Together, groups will explore why self harm might occur, how to express what they need and ask for help, and develop a vital support network.

Discovery College Founder, Laura Harte, said: "With 80 per cent of young people surveyed in 2020 reporting that the pandemic has made their mental health worse, it’s clear that these programmes can’t come soon enough."

Programmes will be running in Sutton Courtenay, Bicester, and Cowley.

To participate please visit www.oxfordshirediscovery.co.uk