A shock new report has revealed that one in three 15- and 16-year-olds in Galway have self-harmed at least once.

That’s according to the latest Planet Youth report, based on responses from 2,191 pupils across 35 secondary schools and four Youthreach centres in the county.

It reveals that one-third of teenagers say they have self-harmed while 41 per cent recorded low self-esteem scores.

Alcohol use also remains widespread, with nearly one in three reporting being drunk in the past month. The most common place where teenagers drink is a friend’s home, while 27% reported getting their alcohol from a parent.

“Parental tolerance of teenage drunkenness has shown a notable change over the period of the four Planet Youth surveys,” the report continued.

“Wherever parental tolerance is high, the teenagers are drinking more, both at home and in the pub. Teenagers whose parents are more tolerant of drunkenness are four times more likely to get drunk.

“One of the most common places for teenagers to get drunk is at a friend’s house, often enabled by a parent or carer.”

Cllr Ivan Canning (FF) said the figures were “hard-hitting” and resonated with him both as a publican and as a father of five children aged between ten and 21.

“I see every side of it,” he said. “There’s very little drinking done in the pub anymore. It’s all done before people ever come through the door.”

Cllr Canning said the Government needed to take action on the availability of cheap alcohol in off-licences.

“The Government has to do something about off-licences selling drink so cheaply,” he said.

“If this keeps up, there’ll be no one going to the pub at all. These figures are stark.”

Despite these behaviours, most students report positive relationships at home, with 92 per cent saying it is easy to receive care and warmth from their parents.

However, the survey also highlights significant stresses, with 26% of young people taking on caring roles at home, ten per cent reporting a parent with a drinking problem, and 37 per cent saying they have experienced rejection from friends.

The report by the Western Region Drug and Alcohol Task Force is part of the rollout of the successful Icelandic Prevention Model, which was developed to reduce substance use among adolescents by targeting risk factors in their environment.

The data comes from a comprehensive lifestyle questionnaire completed every two years by all 15- and 16-year-olds in participating schools.

The report, which was presented to Galway County Council this month, also shows that 15% of teenagers vape every day.

A further four per cent say they are daily cigarette smokers, and twelve per cent have tried cannabis. Among those who vape, young people reported using nicotine, flavoured vapour, and smaller numbers using THC or HHC.

“The daily use of vaping products is at high levels and nicotine pouch use has become a concern,” the report stated.

“Nicotine is a substance that is highly addictive, and these products are not suitable for teenagers.”

At the meeting, Cllr Eileen Mannion (FG) called for restrictions on where vapes are sold, while Cllr Mary Hoade (FF) said the report made for “frightening reading” and requested Government intervention on underage vaping.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.

Caption: Cllr Ivan Canning.