Self-harm is the most important risk factor for suicide. When someone who has harmed themselves is seen in the Emergency Department, a mental health practitioner (MHP) usually assesses their psychological state, social situation and needs for support.
Assured is a programme that aims to develop and test a brief intervention for self-harm for patients presenting to Emergency Department with self-harm. Drawing on international evidence and stakeholder feedback, a brief intervention was developed consisting of a therapeutic assessment, safety planning, and rapid follow up care using a solution-focused approach. A pilot study was carried out to further refine the approach. A randomised controlled trial will be conducted in 10+ hospitals in England, commencing in May 2022. We aim to recruit 1088 patients. The aim is to assess the clinical- and cost-effectiveness of the intervention compared with standard care.