The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on presentations to health services following self-harm: systematic review.
Sarah SteegAnn JohnDavid J GunnellNavneet KapurDana DekelLena SchmidtDuleeka W KnipeElla ArensmanKeith HawtonJulian P T HigginsEmily EylesCatherine Macleod-HallLuke A McGuinessRoger T WebbPublished in: The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science (2022)
Sustained reductions in numbers of self-harm presentations were seen into the first half of 2021, although this evidence is based on a relatively small number of higher-quality studies. Evidence from low- and middle-income countries is lacking. Increased numbers of presentations among adolescents, particularly girls, into 2021 is concerning. Findings may reflect changes in thresholds for help-seeking, use of alternative sources of support and variable effects of the pandemic across groups.