Abstract

Background

Suicide on roads is receiving increased attention.

However, there has been little research on non-fatal road-related self-harm.

This study was conducted in order to investigate the characteristics of such acts.

Method Information on non-fatal road self-harm was extracted from a self-harm monitoring system database of self-harm presentations to a major general hospital in England during 2005-2017.

Patients were identified through being referred for psychosocial assessment by a clinical service and through scrutiny of medical records.

Results

During the 13-year study period 110 individuals (67 males, 43 females) presented to the hospital with road-related self-harm: 38 (34.5%) jumped from bridges, 34 (30.9%) jumped or lay in front of vehicles, 27 (24.5%) crashed vehicles and 11 (10.0%) jumped from moving vehicles.

Crashing vehicles was more common in males and jumping from vehicles more common in females.

In patients who received a psychosocial assessment, their most frequent problems were with a partner, employment and family members.

Over half had been in psychiatric care and nearly two-thirds had a history of previous self-harm.

Suicide intent was often high, especially in those who crashed a vehicle or jumped from a bridge.

Limitation The study was based on presentations to a single hospital.

Some data were not available for non-assessed patients.

Conclusions

Road-related self-harm, while not common, more frequently involves males and the acts are often of high suicidal intent.

The range of problems preceding this method of self-harm indicates that there needs to be a variety of aftercare interventions, adapted to each individual’s situation.

Citations

Keith Hawton, Elizabeth Bale, Deborah Casey, Self-harm on roads: Register-based study of methods and characteristics of individuals involved, Journal of Affective Disorders, Volume 282, 2021, Pages 46-50

Sponsorship: Supported by the NIHR

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2020.12.107

URI: https://oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/orka/title/self-harm-on-roads-register-based-study-of-methods-and-characteristics-of-individuals-involved/