Fatal and non-fatal repetition of self-harm - Systematic review

Background Non-fatal self-harm frequently leads to non-fatal repetition and sometimes to suicide. We need to quantify these two outcomes of self-harm to help us to develop and test effective interventions. Aims To estimate rates of fatal and non-fatal repetition of self-harm. Method A systematic review of published follow-up data, from observational and experimental studies. Four electronic databases were searched and 90 studies met the inclusion criteria. Results Eighty per cent of studies found were undertaken in Europe, over one third in the UK. Median proportions for repetition 1 year later were: 16% non-fatal and 2% fatal; after more than 9 years, around 7% of patients had died by suicide. The UK studies found particularly low rates of subsequent suicide. Conclusions After 1 year, non-fatal repetition rates are around 15%. The strong connection between self-harm and later suicide lies somewhere between 0.5% and 2% after 1 year and above 5% after 9 years. Suicide risk among self-harm patients is hundreds of times higher than in the general population. Declaration of interest J.H.'s salary is paid by the mental health charity Leeds Mind from a research grant awarded by the UK National Lottery Charities Board.