What is the NIRSH?
The Northern Ireland Registry of Self-Harm (NIRSH) was established by the Public Health Agency (PHA) in Northern Ireland. Under the Northern Ireland Suicide Strategy “Protect Life – A Shared Vision”, the Registry was piloted in the Western Health & Social Care Trust area from 2007.
Building upon the success of this pilot, the Registry was implemented across all five Health and Social Care Trusts, extending to all 12 acute hospitals, with effect from 1st April 2012.
The National Suicide Research Foundation provides statistical analysis, support and independent verification of data recorded by the NIRSH.
Project Aims
- To improve understanding of self-harm and related behaviours in Northern Ireland by monitoring trends and patterns over time.
- To inform the Public Health Agency and the Department of Health to shape the development of healthcare services and the provision of supports.
Recent Peer-Reviewed Publications
Risk of repetition and subsequent self-harm following presentation to hospital with suicidal ideation: a longitudinal registry study. Griffin, E., Kavalidou, K., Bonner, B., O’Hagan, D., Corcoran, P. (2020). EClinicalMedicine. doi: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2020.100378.