Young People and Self Harm: a National Inquiry. First Interim Inquiry Report: ‘What do we Already Know? – Prevalence, Risk Factors and Models of Intervention’.

In response to growing concern over increasing rates of self-harm in the UK, the Mental Health Foundation & the Camelot Foundation jointly launched the first ever UK inquiry into self-harm amongst young people in March 2004. The purpose & methods of the inquiry are summarized & the evidence to date regarding the prevalence of self-harm among young people in the UK is presented. Risk factors for self-harm are identified, & current research into intervention is reviewed. The future work of the Inquiry is outlined. (15 refs)