Description:
This training focuses on helping providers understand the differences between suicidal and non-suicidal self injurious (NSSI) behaviors, and to review therapeutic interventions used to address and reduce NSSI behavior for youth and young adults in substance use treatment.
We will discuss common, direct types of NSSI (e.g. cutting, burning, scratching, banging, etc.) within a trauma-informed lens, focusing on the reasons why many people use NSSI – for example, to regulate negative emotions, suppress emotions, feel alive again, feel relief from self-punishing emotions and thoughts, influence others’ behavior, and express intense emotions and communicate to others that emotional help is needed. Assessment tools and trauma-informed interventions will be discussed, in addition to helpful short-term and long-term responses as well as useful tools, alternatives, and resources to address NSSI.
This training is aimed towards anyone working with youth and young adults; prior knowledge is not required.
Objectives:
Upon completion of this program, participants will be able to:
- To understand the prevalence of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) among youth and young adults and its intersection with substance use disorders and substance use treatment.
- To define NSSI (both direct and indirect forms) and learn the key facts (vs. common myths) about NSSI.
- To be able to differentiate between NSSI and suicidal behavior for young people.
- To understand the reasons why young people use NSSI and the cycle of self-harm.
- To identify best practices for assessment for NSSI and how it may intersect with other mental health issue.
- To identify trauma-informed interventions for NSSI, helpful responses (both short-term and long-term), coping strategies to recover from NSSI, and evidence-based models to help treat NSSI.
