Function of Deliberate Self-Harm in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

What is the function of deliberate
self-harm within child and
adolescent mental health services

ABSTRACT
Deliberate self-harming is a prominent mental health concern within the young and
adolescent people. It is complicated situation where someone harms and injures themselves due
to mental pressure and depression. They can harm themselves by cutting, burning, hitting and
pulling themselves hair so badly that it can more hurt them. In the above study it is find some
self-harm practices which can adopted by individual for harming themselves. Afterwards
admitting the reasons of self-harm within the children and adolescent. Self harming practices
which are affecting the mental health of the adolescent. And various strategies for reducing the
self harm within adolescent and children with mental illness. Qualitative method is used for the
secondary research data for researching the data for this study. It is very important for family to
teachers to morally support the child so that they can help their child to achieve life objective and
live life with positive attitude and feel motivated.

Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................4
1.1 Background:..........................................................................................................................4
1.2 Aim : .....................................................................................................................................5
1.3 Objectives :............................................................................................................................5
1.4 Research question :...............................................................................................................5
Chapter 2..........................................................................................................................................6
2.1 Literature Review..................................................................................................................6
2.2 Research Methodologies.......................................................................................................7
Chapter 3..........................................................................................................................................8
3.1 Findings :...............................................................................................................................8
Chapter 4........................................................................................................................................11
4.1 Discussion...........................................................................................................................11
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................14
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................15

Chapter 1 Introduction
1.1 Background :
Individual across different culture are engaged in the self-harm for thousand of the year.
But from 1990s it has become the problematic issue in the society. Self harming has been
become a common issue among young people and thus day by day it is increasing rapidly. Self
harm is term which can be used when someone hurts itself by giving injuries to their body,
usually it can be way of tolerance of overwhelming emotional distress. The common types of
self-harm which is popular in United Kingdom are overdose and self-laceration. It affects the all
age groups but the studies states that it is consistently high in the mid adolescent. The majority of
people who are affected by deliberate self harm mental illness are the age among 11 to 25 years.
This is a critical public health issue which creates and reflects the emotional distress among
young and adolescent (Finkelstein and et.al., 2015). The young people who can harm themselves
can have a suicide thought. So, half of young people who had committed for suicide may have
history of self-harm. They can harm themselves by Burning, poisoning, abusing alcohol or drugs,
biting, pinching or picking skin, persistent pulling of hairs from anywhere of body, excessive
rubbing the skin for creating friction burns, strangulation etc. It is very common among one in
six adolescent which is considered by self harming. And it is more prevalent within females than
males. Most of the young and adolescent are engaged in deliberate self-harm ad for coping up
the intense negative emotional status which can be anxiety and depression. They are also
involved in DSH to punish themselves, generating sensation for stimulation or excitement or
gaining attention from other. Western community has produced the rates for adolescent
deliberate self-harm which is ranges from 18 to 36% and hike in rates is up-to 80% within
adolescent psychiatric inpatient. It is found that it occurs due to mental illness such as anxiety &
mood disorders, borderline traits of personality, drug and alcohol use etc. along with some
psychological issues which can be parental divorce, severe illness of parents and poor structure.
The most common diagnosis within the adolescent and young people with deliberate self harm is
depression (Serafini and et.al., 2017). It is very important for identifying early signs of DHS and
thus necessary steps are to be taken for further appropriate treatment. Most of the cases are to
referred for secondary care. The possible indicators for self-harm among young people and
adolescent can be unexplained bruises or cuts which can be on forearms, wrists, chest or thighs.
Keeping themselves fully covered despite warm weather. Young people who behave isolated