Year after lockdown and college closures noticed tragic spike in tried little one suicides, stunning figures reveal

The year after lockdown and school closures saw a spike in children trying to kill or harm themselves, shocking figures have revealed.

Hospital admissions for suicide attempts soared by a quarter in 2021 following the pandemic, according to new statistics from NHS England Digital seen by the Mail on Sunday.

The surge in the number of under 18-year-olds trying to kill or seriously harm themselves in just a year from more than 20,000 (20,428) to more than 25,000 (25,515) also marked the highest figures since comparable records began in 2000.

Tragically, lockdown also saw the highest ever rate in a decade for child and teenage suicides, which rose by more than half from 150 in 2011 to 229 suicides of under 19s in 2021. 

Among them was Christopher Nota, 19, from Essex, who died in July 2020 following a series of suicide attempts. 

He was first admitted to hospital after trying to take his life in April of that year, an attempt which his mother, Julia Hopper, says was directly connected to the lockdown.

Before that period she says he was a ‘happy-go-lucky, gentle, polite, fun and the girls all loved him. He was caring, he understood how it was to struggle. He was very active and social’.

When the lockdown came into force, Christopher, who was autistic, ‘was very worried – more worried than a normal person’, said Ms Hopper.

Tragically, lockdown saw the highest ever rate in a decade for child and teenage suicides, Among them was Christopher Nota, 19, from Essex, pictured with his mother, Julia Hopper

The Covid lockdown left Christopher ‘absolutely terrified’ he could not go out to see his friends

Christopher’s mother also claims that he was ‘prematurely and dangerously discharged from hospital’ as he battled with suicidal thoughts

She added: ‘The fact that Christopher could not go out to see his friends because of the lockdowns made him absolutely terrified. We couldn’t even go for a walk.

‘These factors were critical to Christopher’s safety and they were just erased. The doctors knew Christopher should stay in hospital and they kept discharging him.’

On one occasion, he went missing after planning to kill himself, but was picked up by the police and taken to hospital.

Ms Hopper said it was more difficult for him to recover however, because she was not able to visit him on the mental health ward due to Covid restrictions.

She also claimed he was ‘prematurely and dangerously discharged from hospital’ in what she believes was a move to make space for patients with the virus.

After further suicide attempts, he tragically took his own life.

Other figures from this period reveal a staggering 150,000 children were admitted to hospital over the last seven years up to the end of March 2024 after a suicide attempt or severe incident of self-harm.

Separate NHS England Digital figures for A and E admissions for children’s self-harm saw numbers rocket by a massive 55% after the first year of lockdowns and school closures.  

Hospital admissions for suicide attempts soared by a quarter in 2021 following the pandemic, according to new statistics from NHS England Digital

Mental health problems among children and adolescents have risen sharply as a result of lockdown with referrals to children and young people’s mental health services increasing by 140% since the pandemic.

The latest NHS figures (to the end of 2022) revealed rates of probable mental health disorders for 17 to 19-year-olds almost tripled between 2017 and 2022, going up from 10% to 26% of the age group.

The Care Quality Commission now estimates that one in five children and young people between the ages of eight and 25 have a mental health disorder, vastly more than before Covid struck.

Charity YoungMinds told the Mail on Sunday that more than 2,000 children had tried to take their own lives while waiting for specialist treatment.

‘These numbers are incredibly upsetting and highlight the urgent need for the government to act,’ said spokesperson Olly Parker.

‘The reasons why a young person may feel suicidal or self-harm are complex. 

‘Many young people are experiencing multiple pressures which impact their mental health, including poverty, the online world and intense academic pressure, which the pandemic has contributed to this through years of lost learning, so it’s no wonder so many are struggling.’

Last night, Tory former Cabinet Minister David Davis said: ‘All the evidence shows that the government did not give enough thought to the impact on children of all the lockdown measures.

Mental health problems among children and adolescents have risen sharply as a result of lockdown with referrals to children and young people’s mental health services increasing by 140% since the pandemic

‘These figures tragically reflect that careless approach to policy making, not just by the government but by the whole establishment, including the Labour and Liberal ‘Opposition’.’

For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116 123, visit samaritans.org or visit thecalmzone.net/get-support