Self Harm

Presented by
Zowie Camps
Danielle Boylan
Zoë Smith
Sarah Scott
Saisha Doyle
Louise Wareing

Aims and Outcomes

• To gain an understanding of the vulnerabilities and risks that adolescents who self harm face.
• The role of NHS professionals in managing and treating this risk.
• The safeguarding needs of those adolescents who present in A&E
• Challenging professional attidues and stigma
• Future developments and conclusion

Definition of Self Harm

• "Self poisoning or self-injury, irrespective of the apparent purpose of the act" (NICE, 2011)
• 'An act with a non-fatal outcome, in which an individual initiates a non habitual behaviour that without intervention from others, will cause self harm.' (WHO, 2011)

CHARACTERISTICS and Vulnerabilities

• What makes a young person more at risk to self-harm?
• Why do young people self-harm?
• How do they feel?
• What are the myths of self harm?

Adolescents who self-Harm presenting in A&E

• Why do patients who self harm present to A&E?
• What stigma do they face?
• The unpopular patient? How do nursing professionals perceive those that self-harm?

The role of the nurse in safeguarding

• What are the priority needs of those presenting with self harm to A&E?
• What are the safeguarding obligations of the staff?
• What are the training needs of A&E Staff?
• How can the A&E team facilitate better outcomes for the patient who self harms?

inter-PROFESSIONAL working

• What guidelines are in place to safeguard the patient during assessment?
• How do the MDT work together to safeguard the patient?
• What consideration should be given to confidentiality and consent ?

Actions for future developments

• How can Nurses work collaboratively with community agencies?
• What future developments and proposal's should be considered?
• What signposting is available for adolescents?

References and Further Reading

Questions?

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