Guidance
Terms used in this guideline
Terms used in this guideline
This section defines terms that have been used in a particular way for this guideline.
Care plan
The plan of treatment or healthcare to be provided to the service user. It typically documents the needs and safety considerations of the service user, the interventions that will support their recovery, as well as the key professionals and practitioners involved in their care.
Cognitive behavioural therapy-informed psychological intervention
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)-informed psychotherapy helps people identify and critically evaluate their thoughts about emotional experiences and events, and aims to help them change the ways in which they deal with problems. The Cochrane review that NICE drew on to evaluate research evidence for this guideline used a broad conceptualisation that included treatments focused on modifying thoughts, behaviours, and problem-solving skills.
Clinical observation
A therapeutic intervention most commonly used in hospital settings, which allows staff to monitor and assess the mental and physical health of people who might harm themselves and/or others. It should be seen as an opportunity for active engagement as well as sensitive supervision.
Designated lead
A senior member of staff within an educational setting who takes lead responsibility for the mental health and wellbeing of students who is given appropriate resources such as funding, time and training to do so. Their role is to provide advice and support to other members of staff, participate in the assessment of students, and take part in developing strategies and policies within the education setting for the care of students with mental health problems, including self-harm. The designated lead liaises with external agencies and parents to work collaboratively in supporting students' needs with an awareness of local provisions.
Dialectic behavioural therapy for adolescents
Dialectic behavioural therapy for adolescents (DBT-A) is a manualised, typically 16‑week behavioural treatment, comprising weekly concurrent individual therapy, a multifamily skills training group, between-session skills coaching for young people and their families, family therapy as needed and a peer-consultation group for therapists. DBT-A aims to equip young people and their parents and carers with the skills to reduce or stop self-harm and suicidal behaviours, effectively manage their emotions and improve their relationships.
Harm minimisation
Harm minimisation is an approach to self-harm that accepts the person's continued urge to self-harm while aiming to keep long-term damage and frequency of injury to a minimum. It can include suggestions to avoid, delay or reduce self-harm.
Mechanical restraint
A method of physical intervention involving the use of authorised equipment, for example, handcuffs or restraining belts, applied in a skilled manner by designated healthcare professionals.
Psychosocial assessment
A comprehensive assessment including an evaluation of the person's needs, safety considerations and vulnerabilities that is designed to identify those personal psychological and environmental (social) factors that might explain an act of self‑harm.
Risk formulation
A collaborative process between the person who has self-harmed and a mental health professional that aims to summarise the person's current risks and difficulties and understand why they are happening in order to inform a treatment plan. Formulation typically includes taking into consideration historical factors and experiences, more recent problems, and existing strengths and resources.
Safety plan
A written, prioritised list of coping strategies and/or sources of support that the person who has self-harmed can use to help alleviate a crisis. Components can include recognising warning signs, listing coping strategies, involving friends and family members, contacting mental health services, and limiting access to self-harm methods.
Self-harm
Intentional self-poisoning or injury irrespective of the apparent purpose of the act. The treatment and care of repetitive, stereotypical, self-injurious behaviour (such as head banging) is not covered by this guideline.
Therapeutic risk taking
A process that aims to empower people who self-harm to make decisions about their own safety and to take risks to enable recovery. Key principles include joint decision making, clear information sharing, drawing on existing strengths, collaborative planning, and an understanding that risk taking may result in positive as well as negative outcomes. Inappropriately withholding or withdrawing care (such as treatment or assessment) without adequate assessment or collaboration cannot be considered therapeutic risk taking.