Annual Research Review: Self‐harm in young people
Abstract
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.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
Youth Substance Use and School Attendance
Gun Ownership and Violence Research
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Volume
- 67
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 467–485
- Publication date
- 21 January 2026
- Language
- EN