Self-harm injury is a national health priority, accounting for $4 billion in health care expenditure each year. Repeated self-harm is also a major issue for public hospitals, with approximately 15 per cent% of those presenting with self-harm making a further presentation within the next 12 months.
A previous study by the research team showed that a series of supportive mailout ‘postcards’ did significantly reduce deliberate Self-harm re-presentations to hospital and associated hospital costs. SMS text messaging is well placed to now replace postcards.
The Translational Research Grants Scheme funding will examine the number and timing of deliberate Self-harm-presentations among individuals receiving standard hospital follow-up care compared to those receiving standard follow-up plus supportive SMS messages every 1-2 months for 12 months following their initial hospital presentation.
Collaborators: Blacktown Hospital, Office for Health and Medical Research, NSW Ministry of Health, Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Westmead Hospital, Auburn Hospital, Mt Druitt Hospital