Deliberate self harm in adolescents: comparison between those who attend health care services following self harm and those who do not

Objective: To examine differences between adolescents who engaged in deliberate self harm (DSH) and who came to the attention of health care services and those who did not with regard to method of self harming behaviour, mental health problems and negative life events. Methods: A cross-sectional study among pupils aged 15-16 was carried out in seven countries using the same methodology. Anonymous self-report questionnaires were completed by 30,532 pupils. Results: 1660 participants reported an act of DSH in the year prior to the study. 18.8% had received help from health care services, 32.8% from their social network only, and 48.4% received no help following the DSH episode. A comparison between the medical care group and the rest showed an association between receiving medical care following DSH and a wish to die, suicidal behaviour in the family and drug misuse in both sexes. A comparison between the social network and no help groups showed an association between receiving help from social network following DSH and violent DSH methods, DSH among friends and trouble with the police in boys and self esteem in girls. Conclusion: The results indicate the need for various outreach and preventive programs for adolescents who engage in DSH. Language: en