Self Harm

Shout is a 24/7 UK crisis text service available for times when people feel they need immediate support. By texting ‘SHOUT’ to ‘85258’ a Texter will be put in touch with a trained Crisis Volunteer (CV) who will chat to them using trained techniques via text. The service is designed to help individuals to think more clearly and to take their next steps to feeling better. Shout is part of Mental Health innovations (MHI), which was founded in November 2017. MHI was set up following the success of The Royal Foundation’s ‘Heads Together’ campaign, which identified how utilising digital platforms and tools has huge potential to offer support services to individuals struggling with their mental health.

Visit the Shout Website

A mental health and well-being platform for children and young people with a variety of on-line tools including on-line counselling.

For more information visit www.kooth.com

Paediatricians often admit young people who have self-harmed, as advised by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines. A full psychosocial assessment is essential to understand the underlying needs and risks. In this paper we focus on what the discharging doctor needs to know to arrange for a safe discharge. This involves reviewing the admission notes for red flags. We also give advice on the verbal and non-verbal communication skills needed to contain both the doctor's and the patient's difficult feelings.

National Institute of Clinical Excellence

Clinical pathways, guidelines and quality standards relating to self harm from NICE.

The aim of this programme of research is to conduct a series of related studies on the epidemiology, causes, clinical management, outcome and prevention of self-harm. Through a multicentre collaboration the research provides representative and reliable data on self-harm in England. It contributes to the National Suicide Prevention Strategy for England (2002, 2012) and prevention and service initiative, including NICE guidance on self-harm (National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health 2004, 2011).

Read more about the Multi-Centre Study of Self Harm ...

This is a useful paper from the RCEM (Royal College of Emergency Medicine) on The ABC of Self-Harm in Young people- A Psychiatric Approach to Resuscitation.