Annual Research Review: Self-harm in young people

Self-harm is defined as self-injury or self-poisoning, irrespective of the presence of suicidal intent. It includes both non-suicidal self-injury and attempted suicide. The lifetime prevalence of self-harm is approximately 20% in young people. The initial assessment for self-harm should contain an evaluation of risk, a safety plan and a therapeutic element, which should be focused on understanding the nature of self-harm, instilling hope and linking young people with follow-up treatment. Dialectical Behaviour Therapy should be offered to young people with severe self-harm. School-based interventions, such as the Youth Aware of Mental Health programme, could prevent self-harm in young people.