%0 Journal Article %A Faraz Mughal %A Lisa Dikomitis %A Opeyemi Babatunde %A Carolyn A Chew-Graham %T Experiences of general practice care for self-harm: a qualitative study of young people's perspectives %D 2021 %R 10.3399/BJGP.2021.0091 %J British Journal of General Practice %P BJGP.2021.0091 %X Background: Self-harm is a growing concern and rates of self-harm in young people presenting to general practice are rising. There is however an absence of evidence on young people’s experiences of GP care and on accessing general practice. Aim: To explore the help-seeking behaviours, experiences of GP care, and access to general practice for young people who self-harm. Design and setting: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with young people aged 16-25 from England with previous self-harm behaviour. Method: Interviews with 13 young people occurred between April and November 2019. Young people were recruited from the community, third-sector organisation, 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. Results: Young people described avenues of help-seeking they employ and reflected on mixed experiences of seeing GPs which can influence future help-seeking. Preconceptions and a lack of knowledge on accessing general practice were found to be barriers to help-seeking. GPs who attempted to understand the young person and establishing relationship-based care can facilitate young people accessing general practice care for self-harm. Conclusion: It is therefore important young people are aware how to access general practice care 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. %U https://bjgp.org/content/bjgp/early/2021/04/29/BJGP.2021.0091.full.pdf