Improving Access to Aftercare and Psychological Therapies Following Self-Harm

In this course, Dr. Leah Quinlivan, CPsychol, Research fellow, University of Manchester, explains the relationship between self-harm and suicide and cites statistics to highlight the fact that there is only a small window of opportunity for intervention between discharge from hospital for self-harm and a suicide attempt. Yet, despite the empirical evidence for the importance of good aftercare, many barriers exist for both clinician and patient to access it. Dr. Quinlivan describes the findings of a qualitative study which details the issues of access for both parties. She finishes on a note of optimism and proposes the audit self-assessment support tool as a means to check whether a service provider is acting within the NICE guidelines.