Health study will focus on family (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Bradford trust to research self-harming

11:50am Thursday 8th January 2009 in Search

A Bradford health trust is to take part in a national study to help young people overcome the cycle of self-harm.

It is estimated ten to 15 per cent of young people currently injure or harm themselves in a non-fatal way.

Existing treatment programmes vary widely across the country and include different forms of cognitive behavioural therapy, counselling and problem-solving therapies, but there is insufficient evidence to demonstrate which is the most effective.

Bradford District Care Trust (BDCT), along with 16 other organisations, will be collaborating with the University of Leeds and NHS Leeds in a £4.5million study to establish whether family therapy is an effective way of tacking the problem, as opposed to more traditional therapies.

Participants in the seven year trial will be 11 to 17-year-olds who have self-harmed more than once and have required hospital admission for their injuries.

The Self-Harm Intervention, Family Therapy (SHIFT) trial will be one of the largest and most comprehensive of its kind and is being funded by National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assess-ment (NIHR HTA).

It is hoped the results will help around 800 young people and their families across the UK understand why they self-harm.

Dr Lesley Hewson, clinical director of child and adolescent mental health services at BDCT, said: “We know there’s a link between self-harm and difficulties in family relationships and communication, but we just don’t know enough about how best to help people overcome reasons for self-harming.

“This large-scale study will enable us to explore whether family therapy can help young people and their families.”

Barry Seal, chairman of BDCT said: “We’ll be looking at whether the ‘whole family’ approach will enable families to work with young people, helping them manage crises and emotional situations more effectively. We are delighted to be part of this study. It is consistent with our view that people in need of care should be considered in the context of their family and social networks.”