Kids are 'mimicking the stars' (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Kids are 'mimicking the stars'

CHILDREN are mimicking TV stars and self-harming, according to a Swindon charity.

The warning comes from Sue Ozolins, founder of the Spear Project, which helps sufferers deal with the problem.

She claims that hit shows like Casualty, Hollyoaks, and Life's Not All Ha Ha He He are giving our youngsters ideas. But because of a lack of resources, Miss Ozolins is unable to offer therapy to under 16s.

But she hopes that will change once a trained youth worker can be appointed.

"I always thought that I would never get involved with child self-harmers," she said.

"But there has been an explosion in the awareness of self-harm recently, thanks to popular programmes such as Casualty.

"We're taking calls every week from under 16s and we're not able to help.

"The TV shows are a double-edged sword. We want to raise awareness to encourage people not to be embarrassed but we don't want to give young people ideas. That could be happening." Since April, 35 people aged 16 or over from the Swindon area have visited the Spear Project office in Milton Road.

That compares with a total of 62 between April 2004 and April 2005.

Mrs Ozolins, who formed the group in 1997, said: "It's become a more acceptable illness. Lots of stars have admitted to self-harming including the athlete Kelly Holmes."