Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), the deliberate, self-inflicted destruction of body tissue without suicidal intent and for purposes not socially sanctioned, is an increasing health care problem in Denmark. Approximately 20 % of Danish adolescents report a history of NSSI at some point in their lives. Individuals with NSSI have an increased risk of suicidality. Therefore, it is of great importance to develop and investigate the effectiveness of a low-cost app in reducing NSSI. The purpose is to investigate whether treatment as usual (TAU) and the Zero Self-Harm app is superior to TAU in reducing 1) frequency of NSSI-episodes and 2) suicide ideation, and depressive symptoms in individuals with NSSI. As people with NSSI, without a comorbid psychiatric diagnosis, are not eligible to receive psychiatric treatment in Denmark, TAU includes many different treatments and counseling services, i.e. counseling at non-profit organizations, service centers in the municipalities, outpatient treatment services for psychiatric disorders, and care, information and attention at emergency departments. Common to them all is that they do not offer specialized treatment focused on NSSI. The trial is designed as a 2-arm, parallel group, 6 months, randomized clinical superiority trial. A total of 280 participants, 140 in each arm, will be included. One group will receive TAU, the other will receive TAU and the Zero Self-Harm App. Participants will be recruited through non-profit organizations, service centers in the municipalities, outpatient treatment services, and psychiatric and somatic emergency departments in Denmark. Inclusion criteria are engagement in two or more episodes of NSSI in the past month, no further planned treatment, have a smartphone, fluent in Danish, provide an informed written consent, age above 18 years.
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Deliberate Self Harm Inventory
Timeframe: 6 month