Adapting the VHS to prevent self-harm at CAMHS discharge

A CAMHS study for adolescents who self-harm, looking to adapt, test and plan implementation of a self-harm coping tool.

What is this study about?
This project will adapt the Volitional Help Sheet (VHS), a brief tool that helps young people plan coping strategies for self-harm triggers, for use with adolescents in CAMHS.

The study aims to explore whether the VHS can help reduce repeated self-harm and how it can be embedded into routine CAMHS practice, particularly during discharge planning and through digital systems.

What is involved?
In phase one of the study data will be collected from those who have consented and they will be in invited to take part in an interview discussing a mobile application to reduce self-harm.

In phase two of the study participants will be invited to take part in focus groups/interviews discussing a mobile application to reduce self-harm.

In phase three of the study participants will be invited to take part in workshops discussing a mobile application to reduce self-harm.

Who can take part?
There are three phases for this study for phase one participants will be:

  • Adolescents and young people aged between 13-18:
    • That have previously harmed themselves.
    • That have experience of inpatient mental health wards

For phase two participants will be:

  • Any professional working in CAMHS services (inpatient or community)
  • Any digital lead professional within the NHS
  • Adolescents and young people between the ages of 13-18:
    • That have previously harmed themselves.
    • That have experience of inpatient mental health wards
  • Young adults (<21) that met the above experiences between the ages of 13-18
  • Parents/carers of young people who met the above criteria

Phase three:

  • Any professional working in CAMHS services (inpatient or community)
  • Any digital lead professional within the NHS
  • Adolescents and young people between the ages of 12-18:
    • That have previously harmed themselves.
    • That have experience of inpatient mental health wards
  • Young adults (<21) that met the above experiences between the ages of 12-18
  • Parents/carers of young people who met the above criteria
  • Methodologists (researchers) with expertise in adolescent mental health and evaluation
  • design/implementation

How can people get involved:
Participants will be invited to take part by the clinical team.