Ask to take part

Contact the study team using the details below to take part. If there are no contact details below please ask your doctor in the first instance.

Contact Information:

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


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

Study Location:

Find another location


Questions to ask
Skip to Main Content
English | Cymraeg
Be Part of Research - Trial Details - Supporting adolescents with self-harm: a brief psychological intervention to reduce self-harm in adolescence
Back

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 as per current guidelines. Psychosocial assessment includes an evaluation of risk and needs, but many young people do not experience this 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 assessment along with a brief psychological therapy delivered in the community 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:

11 May 2023 28 Feb 2025

Participants who are identified as eligible for the study will be contacted for consent by a researcher within 48 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 a therapeutic assessment and up to six follow-up appointments with the same practitioner over an 8-week period, as well as two letters including details of the contacts. Carers may be invited to join sessions according to the young person's preference and the carer's need, and/or be invited to one or two standalone sessions, inclusive of the six sessions delivered overall. Participants in the treatment as usual group 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.


Mental health practitioners, carers and young people aged 12-19 years who visit recruiting emergency departments with self-harm or suicidal ideation with recent self-harm

You can take part if:


Current inclusion criteria as of 13/06/2023:
Children and adolescents age 12-19 years who present to recruiting emergency departments with self-harm OR suicidal ideation with recent (in the past month) self-har


You may not be able to take part if:


Current 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@city.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, University of London and funded by Kavlifondet.



We'd like your feedback

Your feedback is important to us. It will help us improve the quality of the study information on this site. Please answer both questions.


Is this study information helpful?

What will you do next?
Read full details for Trial ID: ISRCTN81846131

Or CPMS 53021

Last updated 15 April 2025

This page is to help you find out about a research study and if you may be able to take part

You can print or share the study information with your GP/healthcare provider or contact the research team directly.   

Back to the top