A third of 15 and 16-year-olds in Roscommon have self-harmed at least once. One in eight have done so more than five times, according to a new survey. The Western Region Drug and Alcohol Task Force conducted this Planet Youth survey, with 659 15 and 16-year-olds in Roscommon responding. It reveals some alarming findings, with 32% saying they'd self-harmed at least once and 12% at least five times. 33% say they'd been drunk in the past month. 13% are daily vapers and 10% have tried cannabis.
22% got a phone aged 10 or younger - and 69% spend at least three hours a day on social media. 9% said they'd had sex without a condom. A third of the students said they'd viewed pornography in the past year. 18% were aged 12 or younger when they first viewed porn. Planet Youth and the Western Region Drug and Alcohol Task Force will discuss the findings at a Roscommon County Council meeting this afternoon. For those needing mental health support, the Samaritans helpline number is 116 123
