Studies find rising emergency presentations for suicidal ideation and self-harm, as well as growing antidepressant use

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Younger girls are increasingly attending emergency departments in mental distress or having self-harmed, Australian doctors say, while young women have the highest increase in antidepressant use.

Two new studies published in the Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry reveal alarming levels of mental illness among young people, particularly teenage girls who are least likely to be admitted to hospital when seeking treatment.