Objectives. Few studies have specifically tested the Cry of Pain model (Williams, 2001). This model conceptualises suicidal behaviour as a behavioural response to a stressful situation which has three components: defeat, no escape potential, and no rescue. In addition, the model specifies a mediating role for entrapment on the defeatsuicidal ideation relationship, and a moderating role for rescue factors on the entrapment-suicidal ideation relationship. This is the first study to investigate the utility of this psychological model in a sample of first-time and repeat self-harm (SH) patients. Method. One hundred and thirteen patients who had been admitted to hospitalfollowing an episode of SH (36 first-time, 67 repeat) and 37 hospital controls completed measures of defeat, entrapment/escape potential, rescue (social support and positive future thinking), as well as depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation.

Aims and MethodPatients who self-poison are at increased risk of future self-poisoning and early death. Admission patterns and effective treatment strategies are unclear although psychosocial assessment may reduce readmissions. This study aimed to determine admission patterns and the proportion of patients receiving a psychiatric assessment in 4220 consecutive admissions.ResultsThe average age was 34 years (s.d.=13, range 13–94); most were female (56 v. 44%, P<50.001). Twelve per cent of patients were aged 13–18 years, again the majority were female (70 v. 30%, P<50.001). Twenty per cent of patients had multiple admissions, accounting for 42% of the total admissions. There were slightly more admissions per day at the weekend (Friday, Saturday and Sunday; P<0.002). As many as 245 patients were either not referred or ‘self-discharged’ before they were assessed by the liaison psychiatry service.Clinical ImplicationsThese findings may help target medical resources, suggesting that consistent numbers of staff are required during all days of the week.