ABOUT three in 10 adolescent young carers in Britain think about self-harming and more than 10 per cent contemplate harming others, a study has found.

There was no evidence that these carers represented a real threat to others, but the finding is indicative of the constant pressure and feelings of isolation that characterise their day-to-day lives, according to the research by the Me-We Young Carers project.

Researchers questioned 2,100 adolescent carers in six different countries, alongside 5,000 non-carers of the same age.

The findings raise concerns about the pressures and mental health impact of caring on young people approaching adulthood.

Asked whether, because of caring, they had thought about harming themselves, 14 per cent of the entire sample said they had, but the figure was double that among carers in Britain.

Some 6 per cent of the entire sample, and 12 per cent of those in Britain, said that because of caring they had considered hurting someone else.

About 45 per cent of those said that the other person was the care recipient.

The report argues that support for adolescent carers needs to be widened far beyond the available services, such as young carer projects.

Andy McGowan, head of engagement at Caring Together, which supports carers in the east of England, said the results reflected specific pressures affecting the 15 to 17 age group.

“At this age their caring responsibilities often grow,” he said.

“They then have to balance those commitments with challenges that affect all adolescents: college work, applying for university, or trying to get a job.

“The pressure just builds and builds.

“As it stands, the available support for managing their transition into adulthood is patchy at best.”