Identifying distinct service use phenotypes across levels of suicidality and self-harm: a UK Biobank study

Mental health service use among individuals experiencing suicidality and self-harm is highly variable, with many individuals not seeking professional help. Using large-scale data from the UK Biobank, this study examined factors predictive of distinct service use phenotypes across varying levels of suicidality and self-harm. Male sex, the absence of psychological distress, and lower severity of suicide risk were the factors most strongly associated with reduced engagement with professional care. Additionally, although use of informal support predicted greater odds of service engagement, the type of support varied depending on suicidality severity: informal therapeutic strategies (e.g. yoga) were linked to service use among lower-risk individuals, whereas use of helplines was most strongly associated with service use among higher-risk individuals (e.g. those with a history of suicide attempts). These findings suggest that tailoring interventions to the unique needs and contexts of different subgroups may improve service engagement among individuals experiencing suicidality and/or self-harm.