This is the seventh annual report from the National Registry of Deliberate Self Harm. It is based on data collected in 2008 in the Republic of Ireland on persons presenting to hospital emergency departments as a result of deliberate self harm.

Drug overdose was the most common method of self harm in 2008, involved in 72% of cases, more often used by women (79%) than men (64%). Among this group, minor tranquillisers (41%), paracetamol-containing medicines (32%) and anti-depressants / mood stabilisers (22%) were most commonly used, which is broadly similar to the pattern observed in 2006-2007. The prescription paracetamol compound distalgesic was withdrawn from the Irish market in January 2005. However, in 2008 distalgesic was still involved in 29 intentional drug overdose cases, which may be linked to household stock (between 2002-2005 it was used in approximately 400 cases annually and in only 40 cases in 2007).