self-harm

Self-harm is not usually an attempt at taking our own life, but a way of expressing deep emotional feelings, such as low self-esteem. It is also a way to cope with traumatic events or situations, such as the death of a loved one, or an abusive relationship. Self-harm is not an illness, it is an expression of personal distress.

Our self-harm Blogs

ICU survivors at increased risk of suicide and self-harm after discharge

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Charlotte Huggett reviews a recent Canadian population-based cohort study, which examines rates of suicide and self-harm in adult survivors of critical illness.

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Low intensity treatments for self-harm or suicidal behaviour: what’s the harm in trying?

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Millie Witcher and Sarah Rowe appraise a randomised controlled trial on the effect of low-intensity treatments for self-harm among people with suicidal ideation, which has some important findings.

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Cyber-victimisation may be associated with self-injurious thoughts and behaviours

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Holly Crudgington looks at a systematic review exploring the links between social media, cyberbullying, suicide and self-harm, which identifies a link between being victimised online and suicidal behaviour, thoughts and self-harm.

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How living alone, loneliness and lack of emotional support link to suicide and self-harm

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Yutung Ng reviews a cohort study exploring the links between loneliness, living alone and emotional support with suicidality and self-harm.

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Why don’t people receive a psychosocial assessment in emergency departments after self-harm?

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Amelia Talbot looks at a recent qualitative study of patient and carer perspectives, which explores the reasons why some patients do not receive a psychosocial assessment in emergency departments following self-harm.

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Harm minimisation for self-harm: mixed-method analysis of electronic health care records finds it can be helpful

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Holly Crudgington reviews a mixed-methods analysis of electronic health records in secondary mental healthcare on harm minimisation for the management of self-harm.

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Young people who self-harm: perspectives on primary care

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In her debut blog, Amelia Talbot summarises a qualitative study investigating young adult’s experiences and perspectives of general practice care for self-harm.

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Being part of something bigger: can neighbourhood identification protect against self-harm?

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Florian Walter reviews a recent cross-sectional study which investigates whether neighbourhood identification can buffer against the effects of socioeconomic disadvantage on self-harm.

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Alexithymia and suicide, violence, and dual harm in male prisoners

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Ross Nedoma reviews a recent cross-sectional study examining the links between alexithymia and suicide, violence or dual harm among male prisoners in the UK.

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The best terminology to describe self-harm: “There is more that unites us than divides us”

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Angharad de Cates reviews a recent study which examined international definitions of English-language terms for suicidal and self-harm behaviours.

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