Assessment and Aftercare for Deliberate Self-Harm Patients Provided by a General Hospital Psychiatric Service

The authors report on a sample of 135 deliberate self-harm (DSH) patients who were assessed by a general hospital DSH service, & on the aftercare of the service. Patients’ satisfaction with assessment & treatment, & their outcome were investigated at follow-up 12-20 months later. 80% of patients reported the assessment following DSH to have been helpful & the assessor sympathetic. 24% were offered treatment by the service but declined. 94% of those who engaged in treatment were satisfied with their care. Implications are discussed. (22 refs)