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Cited by 42Suicide and Self-Harm StudiesDigital Mental Health InterventionsPersonality Disorders and Psychopathology

Psychosocial interventions for self-harm, suicidal ideation and suicide attempt in children and young people: What? How? Who? and Where?

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Cox, Georgina, Hetrick, Sarah·2017·Evidence Based Mental Health
DOI 10.1136/eb-2017-102667PMC PMC10688523
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Abstract

We reviewed the evidence for the effectiveness of indicated individual psychosocial interventions for the treatment of self-harm, suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in children and young people, with a particular emphasis on the emerging use of electronic methods to deliver psychological interventions. In total, 16 randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were identified, none of which included children under the age of 12 years. Cognitive–behavioural therapy is the most commonly implemented approach in RCTs until now, although problem-solving therapy, interpersonal psychotherapy, social support and distal support methods by provision of a green card and regular receipt of postcards have also been investigated. Young people have been recruited into RCTs within schools, outpatient clinics, emergency departments and inpatient facilities. Face-to-face delivery of therapy has dominated the intervention trials thus far; however, the use of the internet, social media and mobile devices to deliver interventions to young people and other family members allows for a more novel approach to suicide prevention in youth going forward.

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  • In young people, suicidal behavior and self-harm are more common than suicide deaths but are associated with negative consequences such as comorbid mental health issues and impact on education and work.

    “In young people, suicidal behavior and self-harm are more common than suicide deaths but are associated with other negative consequences such as co-morbid mental health issues and impact on education and work (Cox & Hetrick, 2017).”

    From Risk and Protective Factors of Self-harm and Suicidality in Adolescents: An Umbrella Review with Meta-Analysis (2024) · cites this paper as Cox & Hetrick, 2017

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Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Cox, G., & Hetrick, S.
Affiliations
The University of Melbourne (AU)
Corresponding author
Cox, Georgina
ORCID
Venue
Evidence Based Mental Health
Publisher
BMJ
Published
2017-04-03
Volume
20
Issue
2
Pages
35-40
ISSN
  • 1362-0347 (ISSN-L)
  • 1468-960X
DOI
10.1136/eb-2017-102667
PMC
PMC10688523
OpenAlex
W2605207763
Cited by
42
References
17
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 2
FWCI
0.56
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Evidence-Based Mental Health (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Minerva Access (University of Melbourne) (submittedVersion)
  • HighWire Press Open Archive (submittedVersion)
  • ResearchSpace (University of Auckland) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Digital Mental Health Interventions
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Disorders and Psychopathology
Keywords
self-harm, suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, children and young people, psychosocial interventions, cognitive behavioral therapy, problem-solving therapy, interpersonal psychotherapy, social support, online intervention, mobile mental health, suicide prevention, treatment effectiveness
MeSH terms
Suicide Prevention, Adolescent, Adult, Child, Humans, Psychotherapy, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Self-Injurious Behavior, Young Adult

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