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Self-harm

Answer

The study was split into three consecutive phases, each one dependent on the successful completion of the preceding phase. Phase One, to identify precipitating factors for deliberate self-harm among soldiers, with an overall objective to provide a structured interview protocol to investigate self-harm in the military community. Phase Two, to retrospectively match each identified case with an appropriately matched control group, and Phase Three, to evaluate the extent to which risk factors and risk profiles identified in Phases One and Two could be used as a marker for deliberate self-harm.All three phases were to include military community psychiatric workers, under the direction of the Army Suicide Prevention Working Group (ASPWG), supported by suitable external subject matter expertise. The Directorate of Army Personnel Strategy commissioned the provision of external experts from research funds.The statement of requirement for Phase One of the Study and an invitation to tender for the work was sent to three independent academic experts. Only two bids were received, one from Imperial College and the other from King’s College. The bids were assessed in accordance with current MOD competitive tendering guidelines, and the contract was awarded to Imperial College.Phase One of the study began in April 2004, with an expected completion date of June 2005. However, as there were far fewer cases of deliberate self harm over the period than statistically predicted, this resulted in insufficient numbers of volunteers coming forward to be interviewed, the completion date of Phase One was extended until December 2005. Despite this extension, the numbers of those interviewed was considered to be insufficient for the purpose of the study.The results were presented to the ASPWG in December 2005 where it was decided that the study could not progress on the basis that there were too few cases of self-harm over the period to provide a credible result for Phase One. Therefore there was insufficient data to inform the subsequent Phases.A summary of the findings of Phase One was submitted to the British Medical Journal (BMJ) and presented to the Royal Society of Medicine Symposium in January. The BMJ have since declined to publish these findings, due to the size of the sample used.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

26298; 449 c2576-7W

Session

2005-06

Subjects

Army Self-harm

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk