Harm minimisation approaches for management of self-harm: a study describing the prevalence and characteristics of patients who use harm minimisation techniques

Harm minimisation is recommended by guidelines within the NHS and is a practice where people who frequently self-harm are supported to continue to do so, but more safely. It was first developed as a concept amongst substance misuse patients but has since been considered amongst those who frequently self-harm and are unable to stop. However, there is a lack of supporting evidence from formal studies. This leaves clinicians uncertain how to deliver harm minimisation approaches to those self-harming. This project is in response to the call for further research. It will investigate how harm-minimisation is currently being used in mental health services by analysing recorded cases in routine, anonymised electronic health records.