Experiences of support for people who access voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations for self-harm: a qualitative study with stakeholder feedback
Abstract Background Prevalence of self-harm In England is rising, however contact with statutory services remains relatively low. There is growing recognition of the potential role voluntary, community and social enterprise sector (VCSE) organisations have in the provision of self-harm support. We a...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2024-04-01
|
| Series: | BMC Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-18455-4 |
| _version_ | 1797199144681472000 |
|---|---|
| author | Joe Hulin Vyv Huddy Phillip Oliver Jack Marshall Aarti Mohindra Brigitte Delaney Caroline Mitchell |
| author_facet | Joe Hulin Vyv Huddy Phillip Oliver Jack Marshall Aarti Mohindra Brigitte Delaney Caroline Mitchell |
| author_sort | Joe Hulin |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Prevalence of self-harm In England is rising, however contact with statutory services remains relatively low. There is growing recognition of the potential role voluntary, community and social enterprise sector (VCSE) organisations have in the provision of self-harm support. We aimed to explore individuals’ experiences of using these services and the barriers and facilitators to accessing support. Methods Qualitative, online interviews with 23 adults (18+) who have accessed support from VCSE organisations for self-harm in the Yorkshire and the Humber region were undertaken. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was undertaken using NVivo software. Results Participants described how a lack of service flexibility and the perception that their individual needs were not being heard often made them less likely to engage with both statutory and VCSE organisations. The complexity of care pathways made it difficult for them to access appropriate support when required, as did a lack of awareness of the types of support available. Participants described how engagement was improved by services that fostered a sense of community. The delivery of peer support played a key role in creating this sense of belonging. Education and workplace settings were also viewed as key sources of support for individuals, with a lack of mental health literacy acting as a barrier to access in these environments. Conclusions VCSE organisations can play a crucial role in the provision of support for self-harm, however, pathways into these services remain complex and links between statutory and non-statutory services need to be strengthened. The provision of peer support is viewed as a crucial component of effective support in VCSE organisations. Further supervision and training should be offered to those providing peer support to ensure that their own mental health is protected. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T07:11:05Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ae0d8fbe2a2a445a92cb0c77b25934d4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T07:11:05Z |
| publishDate | 2024-04-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-ae0d8fbe2a2a445a92cb0c77b25934d42024-04-21T11:33:02ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582024-04-0124111010.1186/s12889-024-18455-4Experiences of support for people who access voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations for self-harm: a qualitative study with stakeholder feedbackJoe Hulin0Vyv Huddy1Phillip Oliver2Jack Marshall3Aarti Mohindra4Brigitte Delaney5Caroline Mitchell6Sheffield Centre for Health and Related Research (SCHARR), School of Medicine and Population Health, University of SheffieldDepartment of Psychology, University of SheffieldPrimary Medical Care Research, School of Medicine and Population Health, University of SheffieldPrimary Medical Care Research, School of Medicine and Population Health, University of SheffieldPrimary Medical Care Research, School of Medicine and Population Health, University of SheffieldSheffield Centre for Health and Related Research (SCHARR), School of Medicine and Population Health, University of SheffieldPrimary Medical Care Research, School of Medicine and Population Health, University of SheffieldAbstract Background Prevalence of self-harm In England is rising, however contact with statutory services remains relatively low. There is growing recognition of the potential role voluntary, community and social enterprise sector (VCSE) organisations have in the provision of self-harm support. We aimed to explore individuals’ experiences of using these services and the barriers and facilitators to accessing support. Methods Qualitative, online interviews with 23 adults (18+) who have accessed support from VCSE organisations for self-harm in the Yorkshire and the Humber region were undertaken. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was undertaken using NVivo software. Results Participants described how a lack of service flexibility and the perception that their individual needs were not being heard often made them less likely to engage with both statutory and VCSE organisations. The complexity of care pathways made it difficult for them to access appropriate support when required, as did a lack of awareness of the types of support available. Participants described how engagement was improved by services that fostered a sense of community. The delivery of peer support played a key role in creating this sense of belonging. Education and workplace settings were also viewed as key sources of support for individuals, with a lack of mental health literacy acting as a barrier to access in these environments. Conclusions VCSE organisations can play a crucial role in the provision of support for self-harm, however, pathways into these services remain complex and links between statutory and non-statutory services need to be strengthened. The provision of peer support is viewed as a crucial component of effective support in VCSE organisations. Further supervision and training should be offered to those providing peer support to ensure that their own mental health is protected.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-18455-4Self-harmQualitativeThird sectorPeer supportSelf-injuryMental health |
| spellingShingle | Joe Hulin Vyv Huddy Phillip Oliver Jack Marshall Aarti Mohindra Brigitte Delaney Caroline Mitchell Experiences of support for people who access voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations for self-harm: a qualitative study with stakeholder feedback BMC Public Health Self-harm Qualitative Third sector Peer support Self-injury Mental health |
| title | Experiences of support for people who access voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations for self-harm: a qualitative study with stakeholder feedback |
| title_full | Experiences of support for people who access voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations for self-harm: a qualitative study with stakeholder feedback |
| title_fullStr | Experiences of support for people who access voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations for self-harm: a qualitative study with stakeholder feedback |
| title_full_unstemmed | Experiences of support for people who access voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations for self-harm: a qualitative study with stakeholder feedback |
| title_short | Experiences of support for people who access voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations for self-harm: a qualitative study with stakeholder feedback |
| title_sort | experiences of support for people who access voluntary community and social enterprise vcse organisations for self harm a qualitative study with stakeholder feedback |
| topic | Self-harm Qualitative Third sector Peer support Self-injury Mental health |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-18455-4 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT joehulin experiencesofsupportforpeoplewhoaccessvoluntarycommunityandsocialenterprisevcseorganisationsforselfharmaqualitativestudywithstakeholderfeedback AT vyvhuddy experiencesofsupportforpeoplewhoaccessvoluntarycommunityandsocialenterprisevcseorganisationsforselfharmaqualitativestudywithstakeholderfeedback AT phillipoliver experiencesofsupportforpeoplewhoaccessvoluntarycommunityandsocialenterprisevcseorganisationsforselfharmaqualitativestudywithstakeholderfeedback AT jackmarshall experiencesofsupportforpeoplewhoaccessvoluntarycommunityandsocialenterprisevcseorganisationsforselfharmaqualitativestudywithstakeholderfeedback AT aartimohindra experiencesofsupportforpeoplewhoaccessvoluntarycommunityandsocialenterprisevcseorganisationsforselfharmaqualitativestudywithstakeholderfeedback AT brigittedelaney experiencesofsupportforpeoplewhoaccessvoluntarycommunityandsocialenterprisevcseorganisationsforselfharmaqualitativestudywithstakeholderfeedback AT carolinemitchell experiencesofsupportforpeoplewhoaccessvoluntarycommunityandsocialenterprisevcseorganisationsforselfharmaqualitativestudywithstakeholderfeedback |