Management of Deliberate Self-Harm in Children and Young People

1985 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 208-208
2021 ◽  
pp. 136749352110144
Author(s):  
Lea Raquel Ribeiro Coimbra ◽  
Amy Noakes

Self-harming behaviours in children and young people are an alarming reality, with provision of effective treatment historically compromised. The present systematic literature review highlights attitudes displayed by healthcare professionals towards this health problem, providing valuable insight by analysing how these attitudes can impact patient care. Ten studies were included, allowing creation of a narrative synthesis of qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods evidence. Six themes emerged: negativity, positivity, worry or fear, the emotional impact of working with these patients, professional roles and ward-dependent concerns. Overall, professional negativity towards this patient group, in the form of apprehensiveness, was accentuated by fear of worsening their symptoms. The attitude aforementioned impacts on treatment by hindering creation of meaningful therapeutic relationships. Educational opportunities that increase healthcare professionals’ knowledge of self-harm have the potential to provide invaluable power by promoting positive attitudes.


2009 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 114-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophia Morgan ◽  
Sinead Byrne ◽  
Carole Boylan ◽  
Stephen McLearie ◽  
Carol Fitzpatrick

AbstractObjectives: Deliberate self-harm (DSH) is the strongest predictor of suicidal behaviour. This retrospective study reviewed all DSH presentations to our Paediatric Emergency Department between 2002-2006.Method: Using database and medical records we profiled these presentations. Data was coded and statistically analysed.Results: There were 253 DSH attendances. Twenty-four percent were living in care, 15% were under 12 years and 14% presented more than once. Overdoses (61%) were more common than cutting (16%) and 56% had a psychiatric condition.Conclusions: DSH presents an ongoing challenge to child and adolescent mental health services and those working in suicide prevention. Identifying the characteristics of these young people is essential to providing appropriate treatment for this high-risk group.


2001 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret J Tobin ◽  
Adam R Clarke ◽  
Richard Buss ◽  
Stewart L Einfeld ◽  
John Beard ◽  
...  

Repeat Deliberate Self Harm is a recognised risk factor for completed suicide and therefore reduction by effective healthservice response represents a valid contribution to suicide prevention. However, only a small fraction of people withdeliberate self harm presentations to general health settings actually reach specialist mental health follow-upappointments. Therefore, even if responses at that point are known to be effective they do not make a significantcontribution to reducing repeat self-harm overall. We describe health system organisational change strategies to improvehealth service engagement for the target group, and present data demonstrating the effectiveness of these strategies.


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