What is already known on this topic?

People with a history of mental disorders account for half—or more—of all suicides.1 Mental disorders and self-harm are some of the strongest predictors of suicide.2 Yet, we have only sparse indications that the offered support actually helps reduce their risk of suicide.

Methods of the study

In this cohort study, hospital management after self-harm at one of five emergency departments (ED) located in three cities in the UK was examined. People aged 15 years and older who presented with self-harm (n=38 415) during 2000–2010 were studied using data from the Multicentre Study of Self-harm, in England.

The impact by four types of hospital management was examined: (1) psychosocial assessment, covering evaluation of social circumstances and needs of the patient; (2) admission to somatic hospital; (3) referral for …