New research highlights importance of mental health support for young people with chronic pain

Living with chronic pain can affect much more than the body.

For young people, ongoing pain can make it harder to spend time with friends, take part in activities and feel connected to the people around them. New research suggests these social and emotional challenges may be closely linked to thoughts of self-harm and self-harming behaviour.

This article discusses suicide and/or self-harm, so please read the content with care. If you are feeling suicidal, know that help is available. Contact the Samaritans on 116 123 if you need emotional support. If you feel you are in immediate danger to yourself, call 999.

Researchers from the University of Oxford and Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust surveyed 77 young people aged 12 to 18 attending a specialist NHS pain service.

The study found that 27% of these teenagers had thought about self-harm in the two weeks before taking part in the survey, and 7% had engaged in self-harm during that period.

Looking across their lifetime, the figures were higher still: 58% of the young people surveyed said they had experienced thoughts of self-harm, while 47% reported having engaged in self-harm.

The researchers found that these experiences were strongly associated with two psychological and social impacts of living with ongoing pain: feeling like a burden to others and a sense of hopelessness.

These feelings were also linked to difficulties socialising and taking part in group activities, as well as intrusive thoughts and difficulties concentrating because of pain.

Importantly, the study did not find an association between the intensity of young people’s pain or their physical impairment and thoughts of self-harm or self-harming behaviour.

This suggests that the wider emotional and social impact of living with chronic pain may be an important part of understanding the mental health challenges some young people face.

Making mental health part of pain care

Dr Verena Hinze, lead researcher, based at the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Oxford, says the findings highlight the need to look beyond physical symptoms when caring for young people with chronic pain.

"Living with chronic pain can be incredibly tough for any young person. Our study shows that thoughts of self-harm and self-harm itself are common in paediatric pain services. No young person should have to face these difficulties alone. Our findings highlight the importance of paying attention to psychological wellbeing when young people first present to pain services, routinely asking about distress, and having clear pathways in place to provide appropriate support, including closer collaboration between pain and mental health services."

Funding research to fill gaps in our knowledge

The study was supported through a Fellowship co-funded by Medical Research UK and Arthritis UK, with additional funding from Stiftung Oskar-Helene-Heim.

At Medical Research UK, we fund research into neglected health conditions. By identifying critical blind spots and investing in the right research, we drive life-changing advances that have a real impact on people’s lives and plug gaps in medical knowledge.

Research like this can help build a fairer and more equitable medical future for every mind and every body.

Dr Angela Hind, CEO of Medical Research UK, said:

“Too many young people with chronic pain are struggling in silence – and it’s time something changed. This research shines a light on something too often overlooked: the very real toll of living with chronic pain on young people’s mental health. We're proud to have co-funded this vital research alongside Arthritis UK – research which could spark real change in mental health support for children and young people. Nobody should face a health condition without clarity and hope.”

This article discusses suicide and/or self-harm, so please read the content with care. If you are feeling suicidal, know that help is available. Contact the Samaritans on 116 123 if you need emotional support. If you feel you are in immediate danger to yourself, call 999.