Abstract
Health professionals' attitudes towards self-harming behaviour are predominantly negative. Research examining educational interventions to change negative attitudes is limited. This study aimed to provide an educational intervention for student nurses to change negative attitudes around self-harm. attitudes around self-harm and mental health in general were assessed through the Self-Harm Antipathy Scale and the Mental Health Attitude Scale. Fifty-five adult nursing students took part in the 45-minute intervention. This included facts and figures, celebrity stories and personal stories regarding self-harm, all intended to increase understanding. After the intervention, attitudes measured by the Self-Harm Antipathy Scale had improved significantly. patients who self-harm will without doubt continue to experience negative attitudes from health professionals. This study shows an educational intervention can change attitudes towards those who self-harm.