The Hunter health network recorded 6594 intentional self-harm hospitalisations in the last five years, national health data shows. Login or signup to continue reading This was the highest number among NSW's 10 primary health networks. The network also recorded the most self-harm hospitalisations in the state for females (745) and males (435) in 2022-23.
The Hunter network , which includes Central Coast and New England, also had the highest rate of these hospitalisations per 100,000 people in the state for females (111.3) and males (66.5).
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare said the data, released this week, only referred to "patients admitted to hospital for intentional self-harm". A Hunter New England Health spokesperson said the Hunter network's self-harm data was "similar to other comparable" areas. The spokesperson said NSW data showed the rate of emergency department presentations [as opposed to admissions] for self-harm in the Hunter network was "lower than many other rural and regional" areas in NSW.
"Rates of self-harm hospitalisation are affected by the number of people who present to hospital with self-harm, but they're also affected by different resources and models of care in different regions." Avril Saunders is operations manager for Jupiter, a free mental health service for young people in Port Stephens, which is on the brink of closure due to a lack of funding. "Lots of people come to Jupiter who are self harming," Ms Saunders said.
"We help them w.