Individual studies conduct registration of hospital-presented suicide attempts and self-harm for a time-limited period in a specific geographical area or on a specific population (e.g. a city, a particular ethnic group, or people with a specific disorder).

While ongoing surveillance is preferable, individual studies provide insight into the prevalence and incidence of suicide attempts, self-harm and associated factors which can help to identify further areas for research, development or intervention. Individual studies may also form the basis for developing a surveillance system of hospital-presented suicide attempts and self-harm. Increasing numbers of studies are found in low- and middle-income countries