SASH V1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Supporting Adolescents with Self-Harm (SASH)
IRAS ID
312523
Contact name
Rose McCabe
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
City, University of London
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN81846131
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Suicide is the second-leading cause of death in young people (WHO, 2014). The strongest predictor of suicide is self-harm, defined as self-injury and self-poisoning (Hawton et al. 2015). Visits to the emergency department (ED) by adolescents for self-harm are related to repeat self-harm and suicide (Gardner et al., 2019). When adolescents present in crisis, there is a crucial opportunity to intervene rapidly so that self-harm does not become an established coping strategy for life. The period immediately following discharge from hospital is associated with the highest risk of repeat self-harm and suicide (Hunt et al. 2009), demonstrating a need for rapid intervention.
This study will test a promising approach to support adolescents at risk of suicide. This consists of Therapeutic Assessment and rapid follow-up contacts using a solution focused approach. Therapeutic Assessment was developed specifically for adolescents presenting with self-harm in crisis. It involves asking the adolescent what their hopes are for the assessment, constructing a preferred future focusing on resources and strengths, tasks for the next few days and a summarising understanding letter using the adolescent’s words (Ougrin et al. 2009). Therapeutic Assessment and rapid clinical follow-up has shown promising results in reducing self-harm (English et al., 2019).
The overall aim of this trial is to test whether this intervention is effective compared with usual practice in reducing repeat self-harm. Practitioners will be randomized to deliver treatment as usual or the intervention. We will recruit 144 young people, half of whom will receive the intervention and half of whom will receive usual care. If effective, it will decrease self-harm and improve the mental health of adolescents, reduce their need for healthcare services and Emergency Department attendance, saving money and, most importantly, save lives.REC name
London - Riverside Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/LO/0400
Date of REC Opinion
22 Aug 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion