Deliberate self-harm: Clinical practice guidelines and associated resources

Clinical practice guideline for the treatment of deliberate self-harm (2016) [PDF; 1.4 MB] Guidance on the clinical management of deliberate self-harm (DSH) and on the organisation and delivery of services.

Key practice points  

• Improved communication, respect and collaboration in treatment are needed between people who have self-harmed and clinical staff.
• Risk assessment scales or tools or any other methods of risk stratification are not warranted for determining the need for clinical service or follow-up after hospital-treated DSH.
• Improved access to aftercare and enhanced provision of information about DSH to patients, carers and the public are warranted.
• Specialist multidisciplinary teams to manage DSH are likely to enhance service-user experiences and provide greater support and professional development for clinical staff.

Associated resources

Reference guide

• Reference guide for the management of deliberate self-harm (2016) [PDF; 263 KB]
  Including the key points and recommendations made in each section of the full guideline. 

RANZCP webinars

The following webinar videos are available on Learnit [RANZCP member log-in required].

• Child and Adolescent mental health – suicide and self-harm