This study aimed to investigate professional staff attitudes and knowledge about adolescents who engage in self‐harming behaviour and to identify training needs. Previous research has suggested that medical and health care staff perceptions may reinforce the stigma associated with such behaviour and therefore jeopardise the effectiveness of interventions. To date, no available research exists on the views of school teachers. Participants recruited for the study were 120 qualified professionals working within an Accident and Emergency Department (A&E), Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and a Secondary School, based within the West Midlands, United Kingdom. Results demonstrated statistically significant differences between the groups. CAMHS staff were more knowledgeable and felt more effective than either A&E staff or teachers, whereas A&E staff expressed more negative attitudes. 95% of all staff reported that they would benefit from further training. These findings are discussed in relation to practice issues.

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a condition that causes individuals considerable distress. It also presents a significant challenge to the health service and is often viewed by clinicians as frustrating to manage. The purpose of the present paper is to explore the experiences of individuals in the immediate social sphere of those suffering from CLBP and their role in care-giving for their partner. An approach was taken using two qualitative research methods to gather data: journals and focus groups. Findings from the journals and the focus groups revealed issues for partners of CLBP sufferers in relation to living with their partners' pain, perceptions of healthcare and the dominance of illness over social contacts. Key themes revealed the complex emotions experienced by respondents, and underlined the need for their role as care givers and partners to be acknowledged by healthcare professionals. The data also highlighted respondents' desire to have greater involvement in their partners' healthcare, which includes provision of relevant information and involvement with therapeutic interventions. The findings emphasise the need for healthcare professionals to include and acknowledge partners and others in the immediate social sphere of patients in the management of chronic conditions.