Abstract

Self-harm in adolescence and late teens is known to be increasing, though it is difficult to detect and inconsistently recorded. This thorough, practical and evidence-based book provides guidance for professionals and parents caring for children and young people at risk of self-harm and suicide.

Claudine Fox and Keith Hawton discuss risk factors for self-harm, including depression, substance abuse and antisocial behaviour, and critically examine key screening instruments that can be used to assess risk. They describe how suicidal behaviour can be managed and prevented, and look at the effectiveness of aftercare treatment for those who self-harm, including school-based suicide-prevention programs and family therapy. Also addressed are common myths about self-harm and the problem of varying definitions in this field.

Deliberate Self-Harm in Adolescence clearly summarizes and evaluates current research into suicidal behaviour - it is essential reading for social workers, mental health professionals, GPs, teachers and parents.

Claudine Fox is a Research Fellow at the Centre for Primary Health Care Studies, University of Warwick. Her other research interests include childhood onset eating problems and children's knowledge and understanding of mental as well as physical illness. Keith Hawton is Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the Centre for Suicide Research at Oxford University. He is co-editor of the International Handbook of Suicide and Attempted Suicide and has been presented with awards from the International Association for Suicide Prevention (1995), the American Association of Suicidology (2001), and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (2002).
This book would be particularly useful to people in the academic world, specialists in mental health, practitioners and policy makers- It has useful pointers to key models and research.
0-19 Magazine
a useful and thorough grounding in the subject for a wide variety of health and social care professionals, and for parents or carers.
Care and Health Magazine
Self-harm during adolescence is known to be on the increase. The authors of this book broker policy and evidence based practice and translated this into practical suggestions for the mental health professionals.
Mental Health Practice
Deliberate Self-Harm in Adolescence addresses the seriousness and importance of the issue of self-harming behaviour in adolescence, and in particular the pressing need for awareness and research. The publication provides rigorous current research and an associated understanding of a number of issues relating to self - hard and more particularly suicide. Commissioned by FOCUS, a child and adolescent mental health project which aims to promote evidence based practice through the dissemination of information, the book reviews existing literature, critically appraises current research and ultimately establishes a knowledge based and practice base regarding self-harming and suicidal behaviour.
Journal of Interprofessional Care
This book covers the major issues surrounding risk factors, tools for identifying those adolescents at risk, service management and preventive measures… the book is well written, with a clear style and layout, occasionally illustrating the test with quotes and providing a brief summary of at the end of each chapter… This is an interesting book written primarily for practitioners and those undertaking research in the field'.
Child & Family Social Work