What are the recommended follow-up strategies for patients who have presented with self-harm in primary care?

Ensure regular appointments for review of self-harm in primary care, including a medicines review, to monitor ongoing risk and mental health status ¹.

Provide information about available social care, voluntary, and non-NHS support, as well as self-help resources to support the patient's recovery and safety ¹.

Manage coexisting mental health problems by referring to mental health services as appropriate, ensuring a multidisciplinary approach ¹.

Develop a safety plan in partnership with the patient to identify triggers, warning signs, coping strategies, and means of self-harm, which should be reviewed regularly ¹.

Offer a structured, person-centred psychological intervention such as CBT or problem-solving therapy, typically between 4 and 10 sessions, tailored to individual needs ¹.

Consider dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT-A) for children and young people with frequent self-harm and emotional dysregulation ¹.

Ensure that healthcare staff are appropriately trained and supervised in delivering psychological interventions for self-harm ¹.

Coordinate with secondary mental health services for ongoing psychosocial assessment and management, especially if self-harm episodes are recurrent or high risk ¹.

Follow up within 48 hours of initial assessment to provide initial aftercare and support, especially if safety concerns persist ¹.