Brief psychological intervention for the prevention of deliberate self-poisoning: A randomized controlled trial from Sri Lanka.

ABSTRACT: Previous work suggests that many nurses in Sri Lanka, particularly those who work in primary care, involved in the medical treatment of persons who attempt self-poisoning already approach their role holistically and consider 'providing mental health support as a part of nursing. However, at present, nurses are not given formal training on the delivery of such support, nor has the efficacy or feasibility of such an intervention been assessed in Sri Lanka. A mixed-method design was employed: a pilot randomized controlled trial with embedded qualitative methods. Participants (n = 300) were admitted to Teaching Hospital Peradeniya after non-fatal self-poisoning incidents. The brief psychological intervention consisted of a counselling session that encouraged participants to explore alternative

SUBMITTER: De Silva L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12922979 | biostudies-literature | 2026

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature