About the
research

The EmCASH project aims to improve emergency care for young people (25 years and under) in England after self-harm, by understanding what helps, in what situations, and why.

Our findings will help to improve existing services, create new ones, and inform training for emergency healthcare workers to better support young people.

We are using a “realist” approach, which recognises that no single solution works for everyone, everywhere. Instead of asking, “does it work?”, we ask, “what works, for whom, why, and in what situations?” This helps decision-makers design services that truly meet people’s needs.

The project has four parts:

1. Reviewing research: We will explore what services exist across England for young people after self-harm, and what is already known about what works and why.

2. Analysing data: We will examine NHS 111, ambulance, and A&E data in Yorkshire to learn how young people use these services and what factors affect their outcomes.

3. Listening to stories: Interviews with young people and their caregivers will reveal how they decide where to seek help and what they find most or least helpful.

4. Bringing it all together: We will combine everything to explain what works best for young people after self-harm, and why.

Would you like to shape our research?

If so, you are welcome to join one of our advisory groups:

• YPAG (25 years and under) - for young people with lived experience of self-harm or mental health challenges.

• PCAG - for parents and carers of young people who self-harm.

By joining, you’ll help improve the study with your insights and experiences. Members are compensated with shopping vouchers as a thank you for their time.

We are looking for young people aged 12-25 (with experience of self-harm in the past year) and their caregivers to take part in a one-off, private conversation (interview) to explore their experiences and ideas about what helps (and what doesn’t). This can be face-to-face, online or over the phone, at a time that suits you. You’ll receive a £20 shopping voucher as a token of thanks!

If you’re interested in participating, please contact Dan via email on d.j.romeu@leeds.ac.uk or through the “contact us” button on the website to learn more!

You can learn more by clicking the “about the interview study” button below (1-minute video).