Lived experience codesign of self-harm interventions: a scoping review

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Mental Health Research
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Self-harm interventions can be improved through co-design with individuals who have lived experience.
• Understanding the engagement, barriers, and facilitators of this co-design process is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To map literature on co-designing self-harm interventions by people with lived experience.
• To identify barriers and facilitators to meaningful engagement in co-design.
• To understand how the meaningfulness of co-design has been evaluated.

Main Methods:

• A scoping review using the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology.
• Searches conducted across multiple databases (PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, PROSPERO, ClinicalTrials.gov) and websites.
• Included studies where individuals with lived experience of self-harm co-designed interventions.

Main Results:

• 22 co-designed interventions were identified across various settings (mobile health, education, prisons, emergency departments).
• Involvement ranged from content design to planning, delivery, and dissemination.
• Barriers included inclusive recruitment, time constraints, and safeguarding concerns; facilitators included safety processes, flexible schedules, and funding.
• Few studies included diverse ethnic or LGBTQIA+ contributors.

Conclusions:

• To enhance self-harm interventions, co-design must involve diverse individuals representative of service users.
• Processes ensuring safety, remuneration, and valuing contributions are necessary for effective co-design.
• Future co-design efforts should prioritize inclusive recruitment and support mechanisms.