The number of people intentionally self-harming in South Canterbury has increased markedly over the last five years, peaking in 2019, with more young people being seen. Community Mental Health charge nurse manager Jacquie Keene said self-harm was a complex issue, and they were seeing more younger people in recent years – some still at primary school. Patients are always medically treated before being referred for mental health assessment. Clinicians have relabelled self-harm to the technical term Non-Suicidal Injurious Behaviour (NSIB) as it was “not a suicide gesture”, usually, she said. ALDEN WILLIAMS/Stuff Self harm patients are treated medically before being referred to mental health.

Source: Stuff April 19, 2021 04:30 UTC