Few studies of this type concentrating on young people have been published. Comparison of results is almost impossible, since different age ranges have been involved and in some cases the sex factor has been ignored. During the calendar year 1965, 20 patients were referred to our Child Psychiatric Unit having intentionally damaged themselves, and were seen by one or other of the four psychiatrists. This survey was made retrospectively from their notes because we were impressed by the number who had “broken homes”, or whose parents were chronically mentally or physically ill.