Understanding, Managing, and Treating Non-Suicidal Self-Injury

2016 Beyond the Basics in Suicide Prevention — Suicide Prevention, Intervention & Hope Across the Lifespan

Conference: Understanding, Managing, and Treating Non-Suicidal Self-Injury

Barent Walsh, PhD

One of the most challenging problems for school professionals is dealing effectively with non-suicidal self-injury. Of special concern is that self-injury has recently moved from clinical populations such as those served in hospitals and group homes to the general population including middle, high school and college students. This presentation will focus on understanding, managing and treating diverse forms of self-injury including arm and body cutting, self-inflicted burning, excoriation of wounds, and other more serious examples. Self-injury will be distinguished from suicidal behavior in terms of a number of key characteristics, but will also be discussed as a risk factor for suicide attempts.