What criteria should I use to determine whether to refer a patient who has self-harmed to mental health services?

Refer a patient who has self-harmed to mental health services if there is thought to be an immediate risk of self-harm or suicide, and in such cases, refer to a crisis resolution and home treatment team ¹.

Make a referral to a community mental health team and/or psychology services if the person's levels of concern or distress are rising, high, or sustained, or if the frequency or degree of self-harm or suicidal intent is increasing, or if the person or their assessment provider is concerned ¹,².

Refer children and young people to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) if they are under 18 years old ¹,².

If there is a suspected mental health disorder of a severity or nature requiring specialist management, or high levels of distress, or increasing risk, or if the person requests intervention from specialist services, refer accordingly ¹,².

Additionally, refer to appropriate drug and alcohol services if misuse is involved ².