Hospital Admissions for Self Harm After Discharge From Psychiatric Inpatient Care: Cohort Study

This study determined the risk of non-fatal self-harm in the 12 months after discharge from psychiatric inpatient care. A cohort study based on national hospital episode statistics was conducted. Patients aged 16-64 years discharged from psychiatric inpatient care between April 2004-March 2005 were included & followed-up for 1 year. 75,401 people were discharged from psychiatric care; 4,935 were admitted at least once for self-harm in the following 12 months. Risk was greatest in the four weeks after discharge. The strongest risk factor for self-harm after discharge was admission for self-harm in the previous 12 months. Self-harm after discharge shares many of features of suicide after hospital discharge. Interventions should be developed to reduce risk in this period. (16 refs.)