Allow some mental health patients to self-harm because stopping them can make problem worse, says researcher

Allow some mental health patients to self-harm because stopping them can make problem worse, says researcher Mental health units should consider providing sterile cutting equipment to some self-harming patients because forcibly stopping their behaviour can prove more damaging in the long run, it has been argued.

Patrick Sullivan, a researcher with experience of mental health care, said doctors should allow some people to continue to self-harm while providing safety information and therapy to help patients understand their actions and develop alternative coping strategies. The Independent