Self-harm in young people is on the increase - it’s said to affect around one in 15 with rates in the UK among the highest in Europe. Many feel that deliberately injuring themselves is the only way they can cope with the emotional distress in their lives - and destructive behaviour is often entrenched before a discovery is made. And for those brave enough to seek out help the quality of care they receive varies enormously. Experiences in health services, where the focus is placed on preventing more self harm can often lead to more emotional distress. So is too much emphasis placed on the "symptoms" of self harm rather than the causes? Increasingly health professionals are questioning the need to force young people to stop and preferring to allow a "safe self harm" approach. Jenni is joined by Dr Sam Warner, consultant clinical psychologist and Nurse Consultant, Tim McDougall from the Cheshire and Wirral Partnership Trust
‘Beyond Fear and Control; Working with Young People Who Self Harm’ Eds: Helen Spandler and Sam Warner is published by PCCS Books Ltd ISBN 978 1 898 05987 5
