Self-harm in middle-aged men increased significantly following the 2008 financial crisis, according to a study led by researchers at The University of Manchester.

The research from the Multi-Centre Study of Self-harm in England, funded by the Department of Health is published online by The British Journal of Psychiatry today (30 May).

The team investigated self-poisoning and self-injury in three cities, finding a quarter of all emergency department presentations for self-harm were made by men and women aged 40 to 59.

Risk of further self-harm was also high, with 25% attending hospital for self-harm again within 12 months.

The team, who examined the rate of self-harm in England from 2000-2013, showed that self-harm in middle-aged men increased by nearly 50% between 2008 and 2012.

The results followed the pattern of national suicide rates in middle aged men, though there was no equivalent increase in middle-aged women.

The researchers also found that self-harm in middle-aged men was associated with alcohol use and unemployment, as well as housing and financial problems.

Men in midlife who harmed themselves were more likely to repeat self-harm or die in the follow up period than women, but were less likely to be under the care of mental health services.