One in 10 teenagers surveyed as part of a national study said they had self-harmed and one in 20 reported having attempted suicide.
Research has uncovered worrying rates of self harm and suicidal behaviour among Australian teenagers.
Data released from The Longitudinal Study of Australian Children shows 10 per cent of 14-15 year-olds reported self harm in the previous 12 months and five per cent had attempted suicide.
Of the more than 3000 teens involved in the study, girls were at greatest risk of these concerning behaviours compared to boys.
More than a quarter of girls in the study said they had thoughts of self harm and 15 per cent had acted upon those thoughts, compared to eight per cent of boys.
This might have involved cutting or taking an overdose.
Similar results were found regarding suicide-related behaviour.
The study also examined the factors linked to self-harm and found gay and bisexual teens were at greater risk.
Another factor was involvement in crime, says Dr Galina Daraganova from the Australian Institute of Family Studies.
Importantly, the data reaffirmed the link between self-harm and suicide attempts, says Dr Darangonova.
– AAP/SBS
Read More: High Rates of Teen Self-Harm Raise Concern
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