Cultivating participatory processes in self-harm app development: A case-study and working methodology

Background: Self-harm and suicide related behaviours are increasing in young people, and clinical support is not adequately meeting needs. Improved approaches to assessment and the clinical management of self-harm will result from codesign processes and include greater shared decision-making between young people and practitioners. The CaTS-App (an adapted digital version of the existing Card-Sort Task for Self-harm research tool) aims to facilitate a collaborative understanding of adolescent self-harm and support decision-making within clinical settings. The codevelopment of a digital, clinical tool which meets the needs of multiple stakeholders requires careful consideration.

Methods: We present a case-study describing the participatory aspects of the development of the CaTS-App, which included comprehensive patient involvement, research activities and coproduction with diverse young people aged 17-24 with lived experience of self-harm. We share our processes and activities to deliver safe, engaging, sustainable, ethical and responsible participatory practice and co-created knowledge, in the codevelopment of the CaTS-App.

Results: Activities spanned a 48-month period in both face-to-face and online settings. Example processes and activities are provided in narrative, tabular and diagrammatic form, alongside discussion of the rationale for choices made. A summary methodology is also shared to stimulate continued discussion and development of participatory approaches in digital mental health.

Conclusions: The paper contributes important insight and practical detail for the delivery of genuine participatory processes in digital mental health development when working with a population who may be considered vulnerable.