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Research to Practice Webinar

Understanding Nonsuicidal Self-Injury in Suicide Prevention

Presenter: Barent Walsh, Ph.D., Executive Director, The Bridge of Central Massachusetts
Moderator: Morton Silverman, M.D., Senior Advisor, SPRC
When: Tuesday, July 27th, 2010, 3:00-4:30 Eastern Time

Brief description: Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), such as cutting, self-hitting, burning, and picking has been found to occur in 10 – 20% of middle and high school students in the U.S. Although NSSI can be differentiated from suicide in terms of intent, method, frequency, cognition, and aftermath, it nonetheless is a risk factor for suicide. This presentation reviews a NSSI high school prevention program for which there are data as to effectiveness and utility. It is important to intervene early with NSSI in youth to prevent a suicidal course long-term.

Objectives:
Participants will be able to:

  1. Differentiate nonsuicidal self-injury from suicide in terms of a number of key characteristics
  2. Understand how NSSI is a risk factor for suicide
  3. Learn the components of self-injury prevention program for high schools
  4. Learn outcome data related to an evaluation of the program

Organizations to be referenced during the webinar:
The Bridge of Central Massachusetts; www.thebridgecm.org
Screening for Mental health; www.mentalhealthscreening.org

Additional resources:
Signs of Self-Injury Prevention Program: http://mentalhealthscreening.org/selfinjury/index.aspx

Speaker's Biography

Barent Walsh, Ph.D. has written extensively and presented internationally on the topic of self-destructive behavior. He is the author of Treating Self-Injury: A Practical Guide, Guilford Press (2006) and co-author with Paul Rosen of the book, Self-Mutilation: Theory, Research, and Treatment, Guilford Press (1988). He recently completed a Self-Injury Prevention DVD and program for high school students in collaboration with Screening for Mental Health in Wellesley, MA.

Dr. Walsh received his doctorate from Boston College School of Social Work. He is the Executive Director of The Bridge of Central Massachusetts in Worcester, MA. The Bridge consists of 40 programs including special education, residential treatment, and supported housing programs for children, adolescents, and adults with mental health or developmental disability challenges. The Bridge specializes in implementing evidence-based practice models in public sector settings. These include DBT, IMR, Supported Employment, and Dual Disorder treatment programs.

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