Helping young people who self-harm: perspectives from England.

TOPIC

Interventions for young people who self-harm.

PURPOSE

To inform the international community of concerns that have arisen in England in relation to self-harm in young people, the therapies available to young people, and the evidence base for these therapies. SOURCE(S) USED: Published literature on the topic, together with the clinical and academic expertise of the paper's authors.

CONCLUSIONS

A variety of treatment modalities (categorized according to whether they were individual, family, group, or psychopharmacological therapies) used in England with young people who self-harm are discussed. The overall picture regarding these interventions is unclear: a few have no research evidence; some, however, do show promise though limitations in study design, and a lack of replication means no definitive conclusions can be drawn. There needs to be further research and development in this area, especially evaluative research of interventions. Nurses should play a lead role here as they are often in the most unique position to help young people who self-harm.