{"id":134191,"date":"2025-09-10T16:56:08","date_gmt":"2025-09-10T16:56:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/134191\/"},"modified":"2025-09-10T16:56:08","modified_gmt":"2025-09-10T16:56:08","slug":"study-finds-self-harm-in-kids-often-involves-household-items","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/134191\/","title":{"rendered":"Study finds self-harm in kids often involves household items"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cases of self-harm involving 6- to 12-year-olds have risen sharply, and researchers warn that common household products are often involved.<\/p>\n

Their findings appear in Monday’s issue of Pediatrics<\/a>, the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics.<\/p>\n

Researchers analyzed more than 1.5 million reports made to U.S. poison control centers from 2000 to 2023.<\/p>\n

While overall substance exposures in kids rose more than 50%, the number of cases linked to suspected suicide or self-harm intent increased up to fourfold, said study co-author Dr. Hannah Hays<\/a>, chief of toxicology at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, and medical director of the Central Ohio Poison Center.<\/p>\n

“These cases were far more likely to result in serious medical outcomes or hospitalization for these children,” Hays told CNN.<\/p>\n

Reports of suspected self-harm among 11-year-olds increased by 398% since 2000, and by 343% among 12-year-olds, the study found.<\/p>\n

The products most often involved?<\/p>\n

Pain relievers, antihistamines, cold medicines, vitamins and other available household substances were commonly used.<\/p>\n

“With increased access comes increased exposures to all things,” Hays said, noting that the presence of more medications and toxic substances in homes raises potential risks.<\/p>\n

Hays also said the decision-making and planning parts of a child’s brain are still developing, which can make kids more impulsive.<\/p>\n

That, combined with easy access to medications and other toxic substances, can increase the likelihood of self-harm.<\/p>\n

She recommends locking up prescription and over-the-counter medications, disposing of unused products safely and considering packaging changes for high-risk drugs.<\/p>\n

“Just those few minutes to pop the pills out of the blister pack can be enough to make a child think about what they’re doing, stop, and it can therefore save their life,” she added.<\/p>\n

Hays stressed the importance of caregivers looking for early signs of distress.<\/p>\n

“Children don’t always look at you and say, ‘I’m feeling depressed. I’m feeling like I want to harm myself,’ ” she said.<\/p>\n

Parents should watch for changes in mood, behavior, sleep, appetite and school attendance, and seek help when any concerns arise.<\/p>\n

Additionally, health care providers, the study noted, can play an important role by screening for suicide risk and offering early mental health support.<\/p>\n

More information<\/p>\n

Kids Health has resources for helping teens who self-harm<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Copyright \u00a9 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n

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