Women in Swindon are nearly twice as likely as men to be admitted urgently to hospital for self-harm injuries, new figures reveal.

Public Health England data shows that there were 795 admissions to hospital via A&E for self-harm injuries among residents of Swindon in 2019-20.

That is a rate of 492 per 100,000 women – twice the national average – and 249 per 100,000 men. Across England, there were 247 per 100,000 among women, and 140 for men in 2019-20.

Michelle Phillips runs a mental health group called Mind Harmony supporting people in Swindon who cannot afford personal coaching.

She said: “The figures are shocking and reflect how underfunded mental health services are.

“When we’re in that dark place, we push those we love away from us, feeling so alone we don’t think anyone can help us, but help is available.

“If your loved one is pushing you away, they need you now more than ever.”

The Mental Health Foundation says the figures reflect higher rates of anxiety, depression and reported self-harm among women and girls, but that all genders should remain a priority for mental health support.

Michelle added: “Isolation caused by the Covid pandemic has left millions feeling alone and you don’t get the same connection on screen or phone as you do face to face.

“It’s been hard for women juggling working from home alongside home schooling, managing the home and family.

“Many women feel they’re not good enough, they’re putting untold pressure on themselves to meet everyone’s needs except their own, telling themselves they don’t matter.

“But they do matter, they are good enough, they are loved, they are doing their best and they may need a champion in their corner to allow them to see this.”

Michelle set up Mind Harmony to support men and women and help them learn how to manage their own mental health.

“Mental health, good or bad is a complex moving continuum needing constant work just like fitness regimes do. We need to end the stigma surrounding mental health,” she said.

Catherine Seymour, head of research at the Mental Health Foundation, said women and girls were more likely to experience mental distress such as anxiety and depression, which can trigger self-harm.

She said: “It is also possible that women and girls are more likely to recognise and report mental distress and self-harm than men and boys.”

Highlighting that more men than women die by suicide, she added: “We need to consider all genders a priority for mental health support.”

Head of information at Mind Stephen Buckley said: “It’s concerning to see such high levels of women and girls admitted to hospital with self-harm injuries.

“This doesn’t necessarily mean that females are more likely than males to self-harm but may indicate greater willingness to ask for support and treatment.

“It’s important to remember that people of all ages, genders and backgrounds self-harm.”

He added that a survey of 16,000 people carried out by Mind suggested the mental health of the nation had worsened since the start of the pandemic, with two-thirds of respondents reporting poorer mental health during the initial lockdown.