Non-Suicidal Self-Injury

• School professionals' knowledge and management of NSSI
  Non-suicidal self-injury (also referred to as self-injury, deliberate self-harm, self-mutilation, or self-injurious behaviours) is the deliberate, self-inflicted destruction of body tissue resulting in immediate damage (e.g., cutting, burning, self-hitting), without suicidal intent and for purposes not culturally sanctioned (ISSS, 2007).

  Our team has been interested in exploring the knowledge, attitudes, and experiences of school professionals who work with students who engage in NSSI. In two separate studies of teachers perceptions of NSSI in the schools (Heath, Toste, & Beettam, 2006; Heath, Toste, & Wagner, 2008), it was found that teachers perceive this behaviour to be a growing problem in the schools. However, they also reported feeling completely ill-equipped to deal with it and frequently had strong negative reactions to the behaviour. Furthermore, teachers felt a need to be trained in how to respond and refer these students.

  Presently, we are completing a survey of more than 450 school counsellors from across Canada and the United States. We have found that, although they have basic knowledge concerning NSSI, the vast majority have never received any training about how to assess, refer, and/or intervene with students who engage in NSSI (Heath, Toste, & Beettam, 2007). Following this survey of school counsellors’ experiences with NSSI in the schools, our team has developed an online professional development training program. This 6-hour online training program on NSSI in the schools is being provided free of charge to school counsellors interested in accessing current research and knowledge in the field. This training program was developed in collaboration with Dr. Victoria White Kress, Associate Professor and Department of Counseling Coordinator at Youngstown State University. This online training program serves to provide current information and resources regarding NSSI in the schools to counsellors who may be unable to access training in their area. Further, data is being collected from participants in order to investigate changes in reported knowledge, attitudes, and behaviour, as well as overall satisfaction with the training program.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Nancy Heath - Research Team - McGill University
Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology
3700 McTavish Street
Montréal, Québec
Canada H3A 1Y2
Tel. (514) 398-1232 - Fax (514) 398-6968
e-mail: heathreasearchteam@hotmail.com

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