I recently listened to a podcast (Children locked away: Britain's modern Bedlam) about some of our most deeply vulnerable children and young people who are in extreme distress.
Attempts to self-harm, harm others and take their own lives are common features, but their risk-taking behaviour is often a symptom of something more. Many of these children have experienced abuse, neglect, trauma or personal loss. Timely access to therapeutic intervention or mental health support can make a huge difference to them, but often what they are faced with is a system that cannot meet their needs.