Description
Objectives of Part B: NSSI Recovery Trajectories, Treatment & Caregiver Engagement & Support
• Identify primary NSSI recovery trajectories and trends
• Understand core principles and practices in effective self-injury intervention and treatment
• Discuss impact of NSSI on caregivers and identify strategies for best supporting them
• Locate and use self-injury resources (articles, books, websites)
Description:
Self-injury in youth is intentionally hurting the body (e.g. cutting, burning etc.) but without suicidal intent. Because it often looks like a suicidal gesture it tends to evoke fear and confusion. Its very nature seems to defy deep instinctual human drives for self-preservation as well strong social taboos related to self-inflicted injury. Much has been learned in the past decade and a half about what it is, why it “works” for the person, and its relationship to suicide and other mental health challenges. This interactive presentation will review NSSI taxonomy, epidemiology, function and relationship to suicide. It will conclude with implications for intervention and treatment. In the second part of this presentation, we will review what is known about NSSI recovery and effective treatment approaches. We will also review impact on caregivers and best practices for supporting caregivers of youth who self-injure. This interactive presentation will conclude with tips and techniques, discussion and resources.
Who Should Attend?:
• Psychiatrists, Nurses, Clinical Psychologists, Psychiatric Social Workers and Counsellors who work in mental health settings.
• Psychiatric Occupational Health and Recreational Therapists
• Intake and front line staff in youth mental health and addictions settings
• Staff who work in youth mental health settings & juvenile forensic & correctional settings
• Justice personnel who work with youth
• Mental health and addictions Managers & Educators
• Other caregivers of youth who engage in NSSI
Janis Whitlock, Ph.D, MPH
Janis Whitlock, Ph.D., MPH is the Director of the Self-Injury & Recovery Resources Project, a program of the Cornell Research Program on Self-Injury and Recovery. Dr. Whitlock started her professional life as an educator in the areas of sexuality and women’s health, adolescent social and emotional development, and HIV prevention. She started studying self-injury in 2004 and spent the next two decades contributing to understanding of self-injury epidemiology, recovery processes, and opportunities for intervention and prevention. Dr. Whitlock has also conducted research on the relationship of social media and mental health, suicide prevention, and resilience and connectedness. She also directed the Cornell Translational Research Institute from 2017-2020, aimed at assisting scholars to effectively bridge research with practice and policy in their areas of interest. In 2022, Dr. Whitlock returned to the field as a consultant and coach to bring all that she has learned about adolescent and young adult well-being to parents, schools, and communities.
