Citation

Kapur N. Br. J. Psychiatry 2005; 187: 497-499.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Royal College of Psychiatry)

DOI

10.1192/bjp.187.6.497

PMID

16319400

Abstract

Self-harm remains an important public health problem and two sets of clinical guidelines have been published recently. While these include elements of accepted good practice they are not evidence-based. Further research mightconcentrate on either very large trials of low-intensity interventions or smaller trials of longer-term psychological treatments. The current management of self-harm may be improved by shifting professionals' views, involving users in staff training, and changing service provision - perhaps moving from risk assessment to needs assessment.