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Contact Information:

Ms Maria Long
+44 (0)7966616082
maria.long@citystgeorges.ac.uk


More information about this study, what is involved and how to take part can be found on the study website.

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Be Part of Research - Trial Details - Supporting adolescents with self-harm: a brief psychological intervention to reduce self-harm in adolescence
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Supporting adolescents with self-harm: a brief psychological intervention to reduce self-harm in adolescence

Not Recruiting

Open to: All Genders

Age: Mixed

Harrow Uxbridge London London London Isleworth London London

Medical Conditions

Self-harm in adolescents

This information is provided directly by researchers, and we recognise that it isn't always easy to understand. We are working with researchers to improve the accessibility of this information. In some summaries, you may come across links to external websites. These websites will have more information to help you better understand the study.


Suicide is a leading cause of death in young people, and previous self-harm is the strongest predictor of suicide. Rates of self-harm in adolescents range from 6.9% to 15.9% and every year young people in crisis visit emergency departments (ED) having self-harmed. Most EDs have a paediatric psychiatric liaison team of mental health practitioners who conduct a comprehensive psychosocial assessment and a follow-up within 7 days of discharge, as per current guidelines. Psychosocial assessment includes an evaluation of risk and needs, and this is reviewed during the 7-day follow-up. Many young people do not experience these contacts as therapeutic and do not engage in follow-up. The period after discharge from ED is associated with the highest risks of repeat self-harm and suicide, suggesting that this period in the care pathway presents a unique opportunity to intervene quickly so that young people can be supported to find alternative ways of coping. This study is testing the effects of a new approach to care after discharge from the ED, to see if it can help reduce self-harm and future crisis.

Start dates may differ between countries and research sites. The research team are responsible for keeping the information up-to-date.  

The recruitment start and end dates are as follows:

10 May 2023 31 Mar 2025

Researchers will aim to contact young people who are identified as eligible for the study for consent within 48-72 hours of their visit to the emergency department. A computer will randomly allocate them to either the SASH approach or treatment as usual. Young people who are allocated to the SASH approach will be offered up to six sessions, the first of which will ideally happen within one week of discharge from ED. These sessions will include: a therapeutic assessment, enhanced safety planning and up to five solution-focused follow-up appointments with the same practitioner over an 8 week period, as well as two letters including details of the contacts. According to young person preference, parents/carers may also be invited to be involved in joint or individual sessions. Participants in the treatment-as-usual arm will receive a standard psychosocial assessment and care. All participants will be asked to complete a research interview at 6 months and those with a mobile phone will be sent a brief electronic questionnaire to complete every 2 weeks within the 6-month period.


We are recruiting mental health practitioners to deliver the new approach to care, and young people aged 12-18 who visit recruiting emergency departments with self-harm or suicidal ideation with recent self-harm (within the past month), parents/carers are also invited to participate and consent on behalf of young people under the age of 16.

You can take part if:


Current inclusion criteria as of 11/07/2025:
Practitioner participants:
NHS practitioners working or allied with CAMHS crisis/urgent care/community teams delivering follow-up care to young people after presenting to ED with self-harm (e.g. mental health nurses, social workers, assistant psychologists, clinical associate psychologists).

Adolescent participants:
1. 12-18 years old
2. Presenting in crisis to the ED with self-harm or suicidal ideation with recent self-harm (defined as wi


You may not be able to take part if:


Current exclusion criteria as of 11/07/2025:Practitioner participants:No exclusion criteria

Adolescent participants: 1. Possible Learning Disability, judged by a clinician 2. Need for more intensive treatment than the intervention offers, e.g. inpatient treatment (tier 4) or intensive/outreach care in the community (Tier 3.5) 3. Current psychotic episode4. Registered with a GP outside of the mental health NHS Trust catchment area 5. Receiving individual one-to-one psychological therapy for more than one hour per week6. Interpreter required to complete research procedures

Previous exclusion criteria as of 25/06/2025: 1. Possible Learning Disability, judged by clinician 2. Need for intensive treatment (i.e. more intensive treatment than the intervention offers e.g. Tier 3.5 or an inpatient psychiatric admission) 3. Current psychotic episode 4. Registered with a GP outside of the mental health NHS trust catchment area 5. Receiving individual one-to-one psychological therapy for more than one hour per week 6. Interpreter required to complete research procedures

Previous exclusion criteria as of 13/06/2023:1. Intellectual disability as judged by a clinician 2. Currently experiencing an episode of psychosis3. Registered with a GP outside of the mental health Trust catchment area4. Need for more intensive care (e.g. tier 3.5 or an inpatient admission)

Previous exclusion criteria:1. Intellectual disability (IQ less than 70)2. Diagnosis of psychosis3. Registered with a GP outside of the mental health Trust catchment area4. Need for more intensive care (e.g. tier 3.5 or an inpatient admission)


Below are the locations for where you can take part in the trial. Please note that not all sites may be open.

  • Northwick Park Hospital
    Watford Road
    Harrow
    HA1 3UJ
  • The Hillingdon Hospital
    Pield Heath Road
    Uxbridge
    UB8 3NN
  • St Mary's Hospital
    Praed Street
    London
    W2 1NY
  • Chelsea & Westminster Hospital
    369 Fulham Road
    London
    SW10 9NH
  • Royal London Hospital
    Whitechapel
    London
    E1 1BB
  • West Middlesex University Hospital
    Twickenham Road
    Isleworth
    TW7 6AF
  • Homerton Hospital
    Homerton Row
    London
    E9 6SR
  • Newham General Hospital
    Glen Road
    London
    E13 8SL

Participating in a study whilst young people are in distress may present a risk of further distress. If the practitioners or the researchers feel that the research is too overwhelming, they will stop the process immediately. Some young people may value talking about their experiences and being listened to, as well as contributing to research aiming to help other young people who self-harm.

Ms Maria Long
+44 (0)7966616082
maria.long@citystgeorges.ac.uk



More information about this study, what is involved and how to take part can be found on the study website.


The study is sponsored by City St George's, University of London and funded by Kavlifondet.



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Read full details for Trial ID: ISRCTN81846131

Or CPMS 53021

Last updated 11 July 2025

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