Mental Health Professionals’ Views on the Influence of Media on Self-Harm in Young People: A Critical Discourse Analysis

TL;DR

This study explores how mental health professionals view the impact of media on self-harm among young people, identifying key perspectives and suggesting ways to improve clinical approaches.

Contribution

The study is the first to examine how mental health professionals interpret media's role in self-harm, revealing new discourses and implications for clinical practice.

Findings

Two dominant discourses were identified: 'Media as Disruptor' and 'The Hidden World of Youth'.

Clinicians viewed media as a negative influence but recognized its potential for education and intervention.

The study highlights the need for systemic changes in clinical practice and training regarding media's role in self-harm.

Abstract

Background: Self-harm in young people is influenced by multiple factors, with media playing a significant role. While research has examined its harmful and protective effects, little attention has been paid to how healthcare professionals interpret and respond to media’s role in shaping young people’s experiences of self-harm. To our knowledge, no research has examined adolescent mental health professionals’ perspectives and, crucially, how these are constructed and understood. The study aimed to examine the following: (1) how mental health practitioners construct and use discourses to interpret the role of media in young people’s self-harm; and (2) how these discourses shape clinical understanding and practice. Methods: This qualitative study employed semi-structured interviews with ten clinicians from child and adolescent mental health services across England working with young people who self-harm. Data were analysed using critical discourse analysis to uncover how broader societal and institutional narratives shape clinicians’ perspectives. Results: Two dominant discourses were identified: “Media as Disruptor” and “The Hidden World of Youth”. These discourses framed media as both a risk factor and a potential intervention tool, positioning media as a powerful yet morally ambiguous force in young people’s lives. Clinicians largely framed media’s influence as negative but acknowledged its capacity for education and intervention. Conclusions: This research offers new insights into how media-related self-harm risks and benefits are framed and managed in mental health care settings. The study underscores the need for systemic changes in clinical practice, enhanced training, updated guidelines and a shift towards broader sociocultural perspectives in understanding self-harm and suicidal behaviour.