In the UK, what level of self injury can cause your therapist to refer you to a hospital or psychiatric unit?

Question

I understand that all self harm requires treatment from a counsellor, psychotherapist or someone like that. I'd like to know what the criteria is for a therapist to decide that a self harming patient needs to be taken into hospital or a special unit for their own safety. (The type of self harm I'm talking about is cutting, burning, self-mutilation etc.)

Does a patient's self harm only count as officially 'dangerous' if they require hospitalisation/it's an obvious suicide attempt?

Answer 1

hey, i answered your last question. i was referred to a psych unit after attempting suicide 5 times but it really depends on the person. you need to be straight with your therapist - say that you cant keep yourself safe anymore.

however i will warn you - a psych hospital is somewhere to be safe but it is boring as h**l and you have more time to dwell on things.

if you really cant keep safe tonight, get yourself to A&E - you can be referred through there. otherwise call your therapist in the morning and explain everything you have said here.

x*x

Answer 2

to be admitted to an inpatient hospital in the US you need to be deemed a threat to yourself or others.  This may mean that you have a plan to kill yourself and you have what is needed to carry out this plan.  

superficial cutting and burning are not reasons to be admitted, unless it can be proven that you could kill yourself.  The very sad and unfortunate thing is alot of people that do self harm kill themselves by accident.  

I am sorry, I do not know the regs in the UK, but I assume they would be very similar.