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- Page navigation anchor for GP support for young people who self-harmGP support for young people who self-harmGP support for young people who self-harm Bailey et al’s editorial on Self -Harm in Young People is apt1 as the upward trend of numbers reported continues.2 Responding to narratives of self harm from young people in time pressured consultations is a challenge for GPs who report feeling ill prepared to respond with confidence and effectiveness.3Bailey’s continuum of self-harm behaviours demonstrates the complex task facing GPs who need to perform a rapid appraisal of the presentation and risk assessment; often with an adolescent they have never met before. Or they may present with anxious parents who are keen for ‘immediate action’.The underlying drivers for young people cutting themselves, taking over doses, punching walls and self- burning are multiple but at the centre of the self-injurious behaviour there is deep emotional pain and psychic distress. As empathic frontline practitioners our authentic response to this distress validates the experience for the troubled young person and opens a therapeutic dialogue.I suggest this is our core role as GPs and permits a more tailored exploration of the individual context of the young person’s distress. This in its self is not easy as the development of the adolescent brain means a depleted lexicon until the second decade hence adolescents appearing as...Show MoreCompeting Interests: None declared.