Deliberate self-harm CPG and associated resources

Clinical Practice Guidelines are evidence-based documents that include recommendations intended to optimise patient care and assist health care practitioners to make decisions about appropriate health care for specific clinical circumstances. Clinical Practice Guidelines issued by RANZCP have a limited life. They are regularly reviewed and will be updated in light of appropriate new evidence that may emerge.

Key practice points  

• Improved communication, respect and collaboration in treatment are needed between people who have self-harmed and clinical staff.
• Risk assessment scales or tools or any other methods of risk stratification are not warranted for determining the need for clinical service or follow-up after hospital-treated DSH.
• Improved access to aftercare and enhanced provision of information about DSH to patients, carers and the public are warranted.
• Specialist multidisciplinary teams to manage DSH are likely to enhance service-user experiences and provide greater support and professional development for clinical staff.

Reference guide

• Reference guide for the management of deliberate self-harm (2016) [PDF; 263 KB]
  Including the key points and recommendations made in each section of the full guideline. 

RANZCP webinars

The following webinar videos are available on Learnit [RANZCP member log-in required].

• Child and adolescent mental health – suicide and self-harm
  
• Suicide prevention
  
• Supporting team members after the suicide of a patient.