As rates of children and young people with anxiety and depression increase worldwide, there continue to be limits on access to psychotherapy and concerns about overuse of anti-anxiolytic and antidepressant medication.  As such, it is useful to see the results of this study showing that addressing sleep with a relatively safe medication such as melatonin can reduce rates of self-harm in young people with and without established mental health problems.  It may not be the whole solution, but could be a useful adjunct to current care.

Leone, M., Kuja‐Halkola, R., Lagerberg, T., Bjureberg, J., Butwicka, A., Chang, Z., … & Bergen, S. E. (2023). Melatonin use and the risk of self‐harm and unintentional injuries in youths with and without psychiatric disorders. Journal of child psychology and psychiatry.

https://acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jcpp.13785?campaign=wolearlyview