Self-harm in adolescent in-patients

Anthony E. Livesey
2009 Psychiatric bulletin of the Royal College of Psychiatrists  
Aims and Method Self-harm among adolescent in-patients exercises all who work with them. the UK has an exceptionally high prevalence of this behaviour compared with the rest of Europe. However, in one in-patient adolescent unit, in-patient self-harm was significantly reduced. Details of our rationale and intervention are presented, together with a retrospective data analysis. Results Using a range of practical and psychological interventions, the alarmingly high level of self-harm was almost
more » ... pletely eliminated and this level has been maintained to the present. Clinical Implications Our results suggest that self-harm in in-patients can be managed and reduced without adverse effects on the patients. Our methods may be applicable to other settings, although some staff may initially feel uncomfortable with such policy.
doi:10.1192/pb.bp.107.016022 fatcat:odbpgjsedjgfvm2ybtyswouvwi