Impact of the recent recession on self-harm: Longitudinal ecological and patient-level investigation from the Multicentre Study of Self-harm in England

- The recent global recession had an impact on suicide but there is little evidence regarding non-fatal self-harm.
- This study shows that rates of self-harm in England rose following the onset of the recession but only where unemployment increased.
- There were increases in problems related to self-harm, namely in relation to employment, finances and housing.
- Such increases in problems were also found in those who were employed at the time of the self-harm.
- The recent recession had a significant impact on self-harm in England.

BackgroundEconomic recessions are associated with increases in suicide rates but there is little information for non-fatal self-harm.AimsTo investigate the impact of the recent recession on rates of self-harm in England and problems faced by patients who self-harm.MethodAnalysis of data from the Multicentre Study of Self-harm in England for 2001-2010 and local employment statistics for Oxford, Manchester and Derby, including interrupted time series analyses to estimate the effect of the recession on rates of self-harm.ResultsRates of self-harm increased in both genders in Derby and in males in Manchester in 2008-2010, but not in either gender in Oxford, results which largely followed changes in general population unemployment. More patients who self-harm were unemployed in 2008-10 compared to before the recession. The proportion in receipt of sickness or disability allowances decreased. More patients of both genders had employment and financial problems in 2008-2010 and more females also had housing problems, changes which were also largely found in employed patients.LimitationsWe have assumed that the recession began in 2008 and information on problems was only available for patients having a psychosocial assessment.ConclusionsIncreased rates of self-harm were found in areas where there were greater rises in rates of unemployment. Work, financial and housing problems increased in people who self-harmed. Changes in welfare benefits may have contributed.Declaration of interestNone.