Prevention of repetitive self harm

Aim: To study the feasibility of an intervention program after self harm (attempted suicide) on Amager, a district of Copenhagen City with 160.000 inhabitants. Methods: A quasi experimental design was used in order to study the feasibility by acceptance and efficacy. Exclusion patients with schizophrenia diagnosis and severe depression (follow up by community psychiatry). A 3 months period in 2002 as control period and a 5 months period in 2004 as intervention period. Intervention was an active outreach program through 1/2 year. Follow up period was 1 year after index episode. Results: 58 patients from 2002 versus 93 patients from 2004. Acceptance of program: 70%. Efficacy highly significant fewer repetitive self harm actions (suicide attempts) in the year following index episode. Acceptance was reasonably good. Efficacy was promising, so we have initiated a randomized trial from October 2005 in order to replicate the efficacy. Language: en