Publications - Self-Injury

Communication Issues Among Kids With Autism May Lead to Self-Harm, by Rick Nauert PhD, Psych Central, May 2 2018.

“A new study discovers communication problems among children can lead to depression and increase the risk of self-harm and suicidal intent during adolescence...The review comes in response to new findings that teen suicidality is under-recognized among children with ASD. Until now, community-based studies on suicidal thoughts and behaviors among children with symptoms of ASD have been limited...'Our study suggests that children who have difficulties with social communication are at higher risk for suicidal ideation and behavior in late adolescence,' said Dr. Iryna Culpin, senior research associate in the Bristol Medical School (PHS). 'Depressive symptoms in early adolescence partially explain this association.' ”

Guns tied to high suicide risk for teens with self-harm history, by Lisa Rapaport, Reuters, Mar 20 2018.

“Teens and young adults who harm themselves without suicidal intent often kill themselves soon afterward, and the increased risk of death is greatest when guns are involved, a U.S. study suggests...Nonfatal self-harm is common among young people, and suicide is the second leading cause of death among Americans aged 15 to 24, researchers note in Pediatrics. Nearly one-third of young people who die of suicide have nonfatal self-harm events in their final three months of life. ”

Self-inflicted injuries surge among tween and early teen girls, by Susan Scutti, CNN, Feb 13 2018.

“Emergency room visits for non-fatal, self-inflicted injuries surged in recent years among US girls and young women, especially those between the ages of 10 and 14, according to a new study. However, rates of self-harm among boys and young men between the ages of 10 and 24 remained stable throughout the years 2001 through 2015, the researchers said. 'Suicide is preventable,' said Melissa C. Mercado, lead author of the study published Tuesday in JAMA and a behavioral scientist at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 'These findings underscore the need for the implementation of evidence-based, comprehensive suicide- and self-harm-prevention strategies.' ”

Sharp rise seen in self-harm among young teen girls, by Shereen Lehman, Reuters, Nov 2 2017.

“Reports of self-harm jumped nearly 70 percent among younger teen girls in the UK between 2011 and 2014, suggesting an urgent need for interventions targeted to this group, researchers say...Almost 17,000 kids and teens had harmed themselves at least once, and about 73 percent were girls. Just over 84 percent of the incidents were drug overdoses and about 12 percent were self-cutting episodes. Between 2 percent and 3 percent poisoned themselves, and the remaining 1 percent of incidents involved hanging, suffocation, jumping and scalding. Roughly one in five of these kids harmed themselves again sometime during the year after their first episode, researchers found. ”

More Than 6 Million U.S. Students Are 'Chronically Absent', by Elissa Nadworny, NPR, Jun 10 2016.

“It's one of the oldest issues in school improvement: Getting kids to show up. If students miss 10 percent of the school year — that's just two days a month —research shows they are way more likely to fall behind — even drop out. Today, the U.S. Education Department is releasing a report on the first national data set on chronic absence — defined as missing 15 or more days of school a year. The numbers come from the 2013-2014 Civil Rights Data Collection survey — an on-the-ground look from 95,000 schools. The numbers are striking: More than 6 million kids are missing 15 days or more of school a year. ”

Cutting and Self-Harm, by Melinda Smith, M.A., Jeanne Segal, Ph.D., and Jennifer Shubin, Helpguide.org, May 2016.

“Self-harm can be a way of coping with problems. It may help you express feelings you can’t put into words, distract you from your life, or release emotional pain. Afterwards, you probably feel better—at least for a little while. But then the painful feelings return, and you feel the urge to hurt yourself again. If you want to stop but don’t know how, remember this: you deserve to feel better, and you can get there without hurting yourself. ”

Self-Injury and Recovery Research and Resources, by Cornell University College of Human Ecology, Cornell University College of Human Ecology, 2016.

“Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is the deliberate, self-inflicted destruction of body tissue resulting in immediate damage, without suicidal intent and for purposes not culturally sanctioned. ”

The Oxford Handbook of Suicide and Self-Injury, by Oxford University Press, Oxford Library of Psychology, 2014.

Adolescent Self-Harm, by Ann Hagell, Association for Young People's Health, Mar 2013.

“Self-harm is a particularly adolescent phenomenon. It does affect all age groups, but studies have consistently shown a peak in mid adolescence1 . The majority of people who self-harm are aged between 11 and 25 years.2 It is also a critical public health issue. It reflects and creates emotional distress. What do we know, and what can we do? ”

How to Recognize Teens at Risk for Self-Harm, by Janice Wood, Psych Central , Oct 6 2012.

“It's a startling statistic: Suicide is the third-leading cause of death for teens, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In response, a University of Missouri public health expert has identified factors that will help parents, medical professionals and educators recognize teens at risk for self injury and suicide. ”

Girls with ADHD and self-harm/suicide risk, by Traci Pedersen, Psych Central , Aug 16 2012.

“As girls with ADHD become adults, they are especially prone toward internalizing their problems and feelings of inadequacy--that in turn can lead to self-injury and even attempted suicide, according to new findings from the University of California, Berkeley. ”

Suicide Risk for Older People Who Self-Harm, by University of Manchester, University of Manchester, May 1 2012.

“Older people who self-harm are at much greater risk of suicide than both the general population and younger adults who self-harm, a new study has found. Researchers from The University of Manchester studied 1,177 people over the age of 60 who presented to six general hospitals in Oxford, Manchester and Derby after self-harming. ”

Self-harm in young people: information for parents, carers and anyone who works with young people, by Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Child and Family Public Education Editorial Board, Royal College of Psychiatrists, Mar 2012.

“This is one in a series of factsheets for parents, teachers and young people entitledMental Health and Growing Up. This factsheet looks at the reasons behind why people self-harm, and offers advice about what to do to help. Self-harm is a term used when someone injures or harms themselves on purpose rather than by accident. Common examples include `overdosing' (self-poisoning), hitting, cutting or burning oneself, pulling hair or picking skin, or self-strangulation. Self -harm is always a sign of something being seriously wrong. ”

Expert on Mental Illness Reveals Her Own Fight, by Benedict Carey, New York Times , Jun 23 2011.

“No one knows how many people with severe mental illness live what appear to be normal, successful lives, because such people are not in the habit of announcing themselves. They are too busy juggling responsibilities, paying the bills, studying, raising families - all while weathering gusts of dark emotions or delusions that would quickly overwhelm almost anyone else. Now, an increasing number of them are risking exposure of their secret, saying that the time is right. ”

Self-Injury Videos Popular With Teens, by Todd Neale, Med Page Today , Feb 21 2011.

“Videos posted online that feature self-injury are popular viewing among young adults and possibly teens - and some researchers worry that this may encourage copycat behaviors. ”