Celebrating collaborative research on Restricted Intake Self-Harm (RISH)
The Mental Health Liaison Service (MHLS) are very proud of our colleagues Kelly Cruickshank and Hannah Goldup for their collaborative work alongside Ingrid Small and medical staff at the Northern Care Alliance (NCA), which has resulted in a significant piece of research on Restricted Intake Self-Harm (RISH).
This achievement deserves recognition and acknowledgement of the hard work and expert clinical insight that has contributed to producing research now published in the BMJ.
Helen Turner, Operational Manager for Citywide Eating Disorder Service, shared the following:
“We are extremely proud of Ingrid and the collaborative work she has undertaken with Salford Mental Health Liaison Team colleagues (Kelly and Hannah), as well as NCA colleagues. The research is dedicated to supporting patients who may present with RISH (restricted intake self-harm), which is a newly described form of disordered eating presentation used as a method of self-harm.
“The publication offers valuable guidance for staff supporting these individuals, particularly when they present to acute hospital settings. It focuses on education, identification, management, and treatment, which has been devised through multidisciplinary working and expert knowledge.”
Ingrid Small, Advanced Dietitian for Eating Disorders, Manchester Eating Disorder Service, reflected on the research:
“It is so very important to have a full dietetic assessment carried out by an advanced, clinically trained dietitian to support those with eating disorders, but also to recognise those with disordered eating. The value of a good, respectful MDT is essential in developing robust plans that everyone follows. There are positive outcomes from this way of working and from recognising each team member’s value.”
The published paper explores Restricted Intake Self-Harm (RISH), a relatively new term describing the intentional restriction of food as a form of self-harm. The research provides:
- Practical guidance for clinical teams
- Support for acute hospital staff
- Insight into early identification
- Management and treatment considerations
- Examples of effective multidisciplinary working
This work has already begun informing practice and improving the understanding of this emerging presentation.
