Self-Harm and Suicide in females with complex mental health needs
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring the differences between self-harm and suicide in females with complex mental health needs.
IRAS ID
199758
Contact name
Sophie Oakes-Rogers
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Nottingham Trent University
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 2 months, 1 days
Research summary
Exploring the differences between self-harm and suicide in female offenders with complex mental health needs.
Using a sample of adult women receiving forensic services within the Nottinghamshire NHS trust, the research aims to develop an assessment tool to better assess the risk of self-harm and suicide based on the lethality of methods. Female offenders are a uniquely vulnerable group with suicides at rates of 51 per 100,000 compared with community rates of 3.7 per 100,000 (Department of Health, 2014; Ministry of Justice, 2015). Whilst the prevention of self-harm and suicide remains a key government priority as outlined in the ‘Preventing Suicide in England’ strategy (Department of Health (DH), 2012), we need to better understand the relationship between the behaviours that constitute a pressing problem particularly in environments designed to prioritise safety and security.
According to Hawton et al (2013) the lethality of self-harm method is particularly relevant within the forensic population as women are more likely than males to engage in highly lethal forms of SH including ligaturing and overdosing. Of those who self-harmed and went onto commit suicide by hanging or self-strangulation, in 83% the most common method of previous self-harm was also hanging and self-strangulation, suggesting individuals who favour more lethal methods of repeated self-harm are at increased risk of suicide.
Similarly, using a community sample Haw et al (2003) reported women expressing a desire to die used more lethal methods of self-harm, selected based on belief of outcome and risk to life. Whilst this research evidences the use of more lethal methods as the desire to die increases, a key aspect of self-harm and suicide in women receiving forensic services is the lack of free access to methods. In order to form a better picture this research aims to explore this link and determine whether highly lethal methods are indicative of suicidal intent, the result of restricted access to alternative methods, or indeed unrelated to the desire to die. Providing additional confirmation on the strength of the relationship may contribute to the training of professionals in best practices for the identification and management of suicide risk.The study will last approximately 2 hours and participants will be invited take part in an interview and a focus group. Interviews will explore experiences of self-harm, the use of lethal methods, and current risk assessment tools and findings will be used to draft a new assessment tool. Focus groups will then provide an opportunity for the participants to review the proposed draft and provide critique.
REC name
East Midlands - Nottingham 1 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/EM/0364
Date of REC Opinion
21 Nov 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion