Wound assessment in non-suicidal self-injury: applying a systematic approach to care

The effective assessment of wounds caused by non-suicidal self injury is an important skill for mental health nurses working in both acute and community based mental health care settings. The Nursing and Midwifery Council's standards of proficiency for registered nurses also identifies the assessment and management of wounds as an essential competency for all nursing professionals. This article discusses one approach to wound assessment that can be applied both in the context of non-suicidal self-injury and other unintentional traumatic wounds.