'There is no progression in prevention' - The experiences of mental health nurses working with repeated self-harm

Abstract

Caring for people who self-harm is an everyday experience for mental health nurses and an important part of their role. How mental health nurses respond to and support those who self-harm can have a significant impact on the outcomes for service users and their intentions to seek help in the future. Repeated self-harm can be a particularly challenging phenomenon as it is often misunderstood and can have a negative impact on the therapeutic relationship. This qualitative descriptive study aims to explore how mental health nurses understand and work with repeated self-harm. Nine nurses working in a range of mental health settings within one service participated in semi-structured interviews which were analysed thematically. Findings are presented in two themes exploring participants' perceptions and understanding of repeated self-harm, and the process of learning to work with repeated self-harm, and are reported in accordance with the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research guidelines (COREQ). Participants reported that nursing practice relating to repeated self-harm remains largely focused on maintenance of safety and prevention of self-harm despite the identification that this often does not work. It was accepted that there is sometimes a lack of understanding about the function of self-harm; however, participants reported understanding increased following specific education about self-harm. Participants also identified the potential for more empowering and recovery-orientated responses, including the utilization of harm reduction approaches, to the care of those who repeatedly self-harm.

Keywords: harm reduction; mental health nurses; repeated self-harm; self-harm.