Evaluating the Effectiveness of FIND (Facilitating Informed Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Disclosures): A Web-Based Decision-Aid Tool

Participants will be randomly allocated to one of three conditions: (1) FIND (Facilitating Informed NSSI Disclosures), a comprehensive web-based decision-aid tool for NSSI (non-suicidal self-injury) disclosures; (2) a disclosure-focused psychoeducation condition; or (3) a standard NSSI psychoeducation condition. The inclusion of three conditions is intended to allow a rigorous evaluation of the intervention's active components and to determine whether any observed benefits are attributable specifically to structured decision-support processes rather than exposure to information alone. Participants allocated to the FIND condition will complete a self-guided web-based decision-aid tool designed to support informed, values-based decisions regarding whether, when, how, and to whom to disclose their NSSI. The intervention was developed through a multi-phase co-design process involving individuals with lived experience of NSSI and clinicians with expertise in NSSI, disclosure decision-making, and mental health intervention development. Development was guided by the International Patient Decision Aid Standards, the Ottawa Decision Support Framework, and our published scoping review of decision-aid tools for the disclosure and help-seeking of mental health concerns. FIND is delivered entirely online via a secure web platform and is completed individually by participants. The intervention consists of a series of structured, interactive modules designed to support informed, values-based disclosure decision-making. Modules address disclosure options, potential risks and benefits, readiness for disclosure, values clarification, interpersonal considerations, and disclosure planning. Throughout the tool, users engage with interactive components including sliding scales to rate their confidence, readiness, perceived importance of disclosure, and anticipated outcomes, as well as multiple-choice and drop-down menu questions to identify preferred disclosure recipients, disclosure goals, concerns, and support needs. Tailored feedback is provided based on participants' responses, encouraging reflection on the potential advantages and disadvantages of disclosure while reinforcing that choosing whether, when, how, and to whom to disclose is a personal decision. The final module guides users through developing an individualised disclosure plan by identifying appropriate recipients, preferred methods of disclosure (e.g., face-to-face, text message, email, or letter), strategies for managing potential responses, and available sources of formal and informal support. Together, these modules aim to reduce decisional conflict, increase clarity regarding personal values and preferences, and support psychologically safe, autonomous disclosure decisions. Consistent with decision-aid principles, the tool is non-directive and does not encourage either disclosure or non-disclosure. Rather, it aims to enhance preparedness and reduce decisional conflict by supporting participants to reflect on their values, motivations, preferences, and circumstances before making a disclosure-related decision. Participants will complete FIND immediately following baseline assessment. Completion is expected to take approximately 20–30 minutes, although participants may progress through the tool at their own pace. The intervention is accessed remotely from a location of the participant's choosing (e.g., home, school, university, or other private setting with internet access). As FIND is self-guided, no direct facilitator is involved in intervention delivery. Participants will receive automated survey progression prompts during participation, and follow-up reminders will be sent via email to maximise retention and completion of outcome assessments. Adherence will be assessed using online data linkage.