Citation

Tobin MJ, Clarke AR, Buss R, Einfeld SL, Beard J, Dudley M, Knowles M, Dietrich U. Aust. Health Rev. 2001; 24(2): 143-151.

Affiliation

School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, Australian Healthcare Association, Publisher Australasian Medical Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

11496456

Abstract

Repeat Deliberate Self Harm is a recognised risk factor for completed suicide and therefore reduction by effective health service response represents a valid contribution to suicide prevention. However, only a small fraction of people with deliberate self harm presentations to general health settings actually reach specialist mental health follow-up appointments. Therefore, even if responses at that point are known to be effective they do not make a significant contribution to reducing repeat self-harm overall. We describe health system organisational change strategies to improve health service engagement for the target group, and present data demonstrating the effectiveness of these strategies.

Language: en