Self-harm: assessment, management and preventing recurrence

Excerpt

This guideline covers assessment, management and preventing recurrence for children, young people and adults who have self-harmed. It includes those with a mental health problem, neurodevelopmental disorder or learning disability and applies to all sectors that work with people who have self-harmed.

In this guideline, self-harm is defined as intentional self-poisoning or injury, irrespective of the apparent purpose. The guideline does not cover repetitive, stereotypical self-injurious behaviour (such as head banging).

Who is it for?:

1. Healthcare professionals and social care practitioners, commissioners and providers

2. Staff in educational settings

3. Third sector organisations

4. The criminal justice system

5. People using self-harm services, their families and carers

This guideline updates and replaces NICE guideline CG16 (published July 2004) and NICE guideline CG133 (published November 2011).