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The logos of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Queen's University Belfast, Stranmillis College, St Mary's College, Ulster University and teh Open University. These institutions are the contributing members of the Knowledge Exchange Seminar Series.
The logos of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Queen's University Belfast, Stranmillis College, St Mary's College, Ulster University and teh Open University. These institutions are the contributing members of the Knowledge Exchange Seminar Series.

Self-harm and Help-seeking: Service-User and Practitioner Perspectives

Dr Maggie Long, Dr Roger Manktelow, Dr Anne Tracey (Ulster) Self-harm is a significant public health issue and an important risk factor for suicide, about which there is a lack of Northern Ireland-based research. Self-harm is recognised to be considerably more prevalent than is suggested by reported figures based on hospital emergency department presentations. Self-harm is often a hidden behaviour, and thus the extent of the phenomenon is unknown. Help-seeking is a crucial factor in suicide intervention, yet it is a complex and difficult process for people who self-harm. This presentation reports on the findings from qualitative research, which aimed to understand experiences of self-harm and help-seeking from the perspectives of people with a history of self-harm and practitioners experienced in working with the behaviour. It focuses on data collected from one-to-one interviews with participants (n=30) recruited at a community level, independent of statutory services, to gain insight into hidden self-harm. It outlines key findings that provide understanding about the onset of self-harm, experiences of disclosure, help-seeking and treatment services, as well as suggestions for encouraging help-seeking and improving support for people who self-harm. The presentation concludes considering the findings’ relevance for enhancing understanding of this under-researched issue and informing service provision and policy in Northern Ireland. Date of seminar: 4 November 2015. Download: Policy Briefing Presentation