The final scope of the guideline covers:

• Longer term care management of people who self-harm.
• Ongoing psychosocial assessment for the longer term management of people who have self-harmed. This will include an assessment of need and risk and how these are integrated.
• Psychosocial interventions compared with control groups, or other active interventions, for the specific treatment of self-harming behaviour. For example, but not exclusively, self-help, problem-solving therapy, mentalisation-based treatment, cognitive behavioural therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy and family therapy.
• Pharmacological interventions for the specific treatment of self-harm compared with control groups, other pharmacological interventions, or psychological interventions for the treatment of self-harm. For example, antidepressants, anxiolytics and antipsychotics for the specific treatment of self-harm.
• Safe prescribing for people with a history of self-harm.
• Treatment of groups who may have specific care needs. For example, those from black and minority ethnic groups, people who self-cut, young people and older adults.
• Harm minimisation and other strategies aimed at reducing the risks and / or harm associated with self-harming behaviour. For example, advice on safer cutting, distraction techniques and exploring alternatives to self-harm.
• Referral to other guidelines for the treatment and management of any accompanying or underlying mental health problems.
• Possible adverse effects associated with the provision of treatment following self-harm.

This scope of the guideline does not cover:

• The treatment and management of any mental health problem or substance use disorder that may accompany, underlie or be associated with self-harming behaviour. However, the guideline will refer to other relevant NICE guidance.
• The longer term management of the physical consequences of self-harm, such as reconstructive surgery, pain management and infection arising from injuries.
• Acute physical, psychiatric and psychological care of people who have just self-harmed. For the immediate care of those that have self harmed, please see Clinical Guideline 16 (2004): 'Self harm: The short term physical and psychological management and secondary prevention of self-harm in primary and secondary care'.