People who self-harm: rapid evidence review and survey of practitioner perspectives

Footnotes

1 Grey literature refers to research and information produced outside of traditional commercial or academic publishing channels, such as reports, theses, conference papers, and government documents.

2 The study from Ireland was included because of broad similarities in healthcare systems with Scotland and the rest of the UK.

3 Women, and in particular young women, may be overrepresented in the studies included in this review due to higher reported rates of self-harm. The combined 2021/22 Scottish Health Survey data show that women are 3% more likely than men to have ever deliberately self-harmed (Scottish Government, 2022). Additionally, a meta-analysis of 38 European studies found that non-suicidal self-injury was approximately twice as common among adolescent girls compared to boys (Moloney et al., 2024).

4 ACASI (Audio Computer-Assisted Self-Interview) is a fully automated survey method in which the computer presents questions and records responses, allowing participants to answer privately, particularly on sensitive topics.

5 Therapeutic Community staff work collaboratively with people in prison to facilitate group activities, support shared decision-making, and contribute to maintaining the therapeutic environment.

6 Percentages are based on the total number of respondents, not total responses, as participants could select more than one option.

7 Respondents could select more than one option for all multi-choice questions.

8 Cluster analysis is a statistical method used to group people or things that are similar to each other based on certain characteristics. It helps identify patterns or types within data.

9 Tier 2 support refers to targeted and early intervention services for individuals, including children and young people, who require more specialised care than what is offered at the universal level (Tier 1).

10 Sam's Café is based in Fife. Sessions are open to people aged 16+ (and no longer in school), offering one-to-one peer support for people looking for support around mental health, crisis support or suicidal thoughts. They are available in the evenings (until 8pm) during weekdays and also have a location open 9 - 5 Saturday & Sunday.

11 SafeTALK is a brief, evidence-based training program designed to help individuals recognise the signs of suicidal thoughts and behaviours and connect those at risk with appropriate support.

12 ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) is a comprehensive, interactive workshop that equips participants with skills to intervene and provide immediate support to someone at risk of suicide, facilitating their connection to long-term care.