Understanding and Addressing Nonsuicidal Self-Injury in Adolescents and Young Adults

Rates of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) are high in community populations of adolescents and young adults.

Despite its prevalence, NSSI often goes undetected by parents, school official and medical and mental health professionals. Although most often undertaken without suicidal intent, NSSI is potent risk factor for suicidality and can be frightening for those unfamiliar with its function in community populations of youth. This OnDemand Webinar is intended to help youth serving, clinical, and medical professionals understand basic NSSI epidemiology, contagion factors, and intervention strategies. It will emphasize the relationship between NSSI and suicide, common treatment approaches, and basic guidelines for detecting NSSI and productively intervening. NSSI is often hidden and is a source of shame for youth who habitually self-injure so early intervention strategies and use of respectful curiosity are key in productively addressing underlying distress. This program is critical for professionals who work with youth or their parents with little or some knowledge of NSSI. Learning Objectives: •You will be able to identify prevalence and key demographic trends. •You will be able to discuss NSSI in secondary school and institutional settings. •You will be able to review detection, intervention and prevention.