• Faraz Mughal, Lisa Dikomitis, Opeyemi O Babatunde, and Carolyn A Chew-Graham.
• School of Medicine, Keele University, Keele; affiliate, NIHR Greater Manchester Patient Safety Translational Research Centre, Keele University, Keele; honorary clinical research fellow, Unit of Academic Primary Care, University of Warwick, Coventry.
• Br J Gen Pract. 2021 Oct 1; 71 (711): e744e752e744-e752.

BackgroundSelf-harm is a growing concern and rates of self-harm in young people (aged 12-25 years) presenting to general practice are rising. There is, however, little evidence about young people's experiences of GP care and on accessing general practice.AimTo explore the help-seeking behaviours, experiences of GP care, and access to general practice of young people who self-harm.Design And SettingIn this qualitative study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with young people aged 16-25 years from England with previous self-harm behaviour.MethodInterviews with 13 young people took place between April and November 2019. Young people were recruited from the community, third-sector organisations, and Twitter. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis with principles of constant comparison. A patient and public involvement advisory group informed recruitment strategies and supported interpretation of findings.ResultsYoung people described the avenues of help-seeking they employ and reflected on the mixed experiences of seeing GPs that can influence future help-seeking. Preconceptions and a lack of knowledge about accessing general practice were found to be barriers to help-seeking. GPs who attempt to understand the young person and establish relationship-based care can facilitate young people accessing general practice for self-harm.ConclusionIt is important young people are aware of how to access general practice and that GPs listen, understand, and proactively follow-up young people who self-harm. Supporting young people with self-harm behaviour requires continuity of care.© The Authors.

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