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About Self-Injury Resources / About Self-Injury / Self-Injury and Suicide Self-Injury and Suicide "Related but not the same" The relationship between NSSI and suicide is complex. Although NSSI is not a suicidal behavior itself, it is a reliable predictor of later suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts (Kiekens et al., 2018, Ribeiro et al., 2016). So, why is this the case? There are lots of factors that contribute to the relationship between NSSI and suicidal behaviours. A recent review by Griep and MacKinnon (2020) found that past-year NSSI frequency and depressive symptoms increase an individual's risk of attempting suicide. There were mixed findings regarding age and sex differences. Suicidality can fluctuate over time. It is important to continually check in with clients and loved ones regarding their self-injury and suicidality. References Kiekens, G., Hasking, P., Boyes, M., Claes, L., Mortier, P., Auerbach, R. P., Cuijpers, P., Demyttenaere, K., Greene, J. G., Kessler, R. C., Myin-Germeys, I., Nock, M. K., & Bruffaerts, R. (2018). The associations between non-suicidal self-injury and first onset suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Journal of Affective Disorders , 239 , 171-179. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2018.06.033 Griep, S. K., & MacKinnon, D. F. (2020). Does nonsuicidal self-injury predict later suicidal attempts? A review of studies. Archives of Suicide Research , 26 , 428-446. https://doi.org/10.1080/13811118.2020.1822244 Ribeiro, J. D., Franklin, J. C., Fox, K. R., Bentley, K. H., Kleiman, E. M., Chang, B. P., & Nock, M. K. (2015). Self-injurious thoughts and behaviors as risk factors for future suicide ideation, attempts, and death: A meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. Psychological Medicine , 46 , 225-236. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291715001804

About Self-Injury Resources / About Self-Injury / What is Self-Injury? What is Self-Injury? "A distinct behaviour" Self-injury is a common yet poorly understand behaviour. Educating ourselves about self-injury starts with being specific about what we mean when we talk about it. There are several key elements to our definition: The harm is intentional or expected Risky behaviors that could result in harm, such as not wearing a seatbelt while driving, or behaviors that can result in accidental harm, such as playing extreme sports, are typically excluded under our definition. The injury results in immediate physical injury Behaviors that do not directly result in physical injury are typically excluded under our definition, even though they may be harmful or dangerous. For instance, food restriction is typically not considered a form of NSSI since the associated physical damage tends to build up over time, instead of happening as soon as the behavior occurs. Is not intended to cause death While suicidal thoughts may be present when someone self-injures, the self-injury itself is not intended to cause death. Some people may use self-injury to manage suicidal urges or intense distress related to suicidal thoughts. Self-injury enacted with suicidal intent is not classified as NSSI. Is not part of social or cultural practices Behaviors that might cause physical damage but are acceptable in our society, or part of a recognized cultural, spiritual or religious ritual, are not considered self-injury. Behaviors such as body modification, body piercing, tattooing, and religious self-flagellation are not usually considered forms of self-injury. A note on terminology The term "NSSI" is often used interchangeably with self-injury - we do so throughout this site; however, it is important to bear in mind that someone may use the term 'self-injury' and be referring to suicidal behaviour. Likewise, while we do not use the term self-harm on this site, many people, including researchers, clinicians, and individuals with lived experience, use this term to refer to NSSI. Regardless of the source, it is important to always ascertain whether the term is being used to refer to suicidal or non-suicidal behaviours. There are some other terms used throughout the field that may or may not refer to NSSI. Self-harm Often, when people think of 'self-harm', what comes to mind is NSSI. However, self-harm is an umbrella term that captures all self-directed injury regardless of intent. In some conceptualisations, self-harm includes indirect injury, such as that caused by reckless behaviours, or psychological injury, such as that caused by self-criticism. While NSSI falls under the self-harm umbrella, ISSS distinguishes NSSI from other behaviors due to the aetiological, functional, and predictive factors that are unique to NSSI. Deliberate self-harm Deliberate self-harm is a term usually used to refer to non-suicidal self-injury; however, it may also encompass any self-inflicted injury, regardless of intent. Determining what is meant when this term is used is important. Self-cutting NSSI is sometimes referred to by focusing on particular methods (e.g., self-cutting). While cutting is among the most widely recognized forms of self-injury, the behavior can take many other forms, including burning, hitting, or scratching. Furthermore, many people who self-injure report using more than method during their lives. Therefore, we recommend avoiding this term when referring to self-injury more broadly, as it dismisses the experiences of many people. Parasuicide, self-mutilation These terms are no longer used in contemporary research and practice, but are occasionally still seen in news media. The term 'parasuicide' links injury to suicide, creating an assumption that self-injury is a suicide attempt. As we know, this is not always that case. The term 'self-mutilation' is stigmatising and harmful, characterising an individual's injury as negative due to its appearance and conjuring judgement and fear (Hasking & Boyes, 2018; Hasking et al., 2019). References Hasking, P., & Boyes, M. (2018). Cutting words: A commentary on language and stigma in the context of nonsuicidal self-injury. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease , 206 , 829-833. https://doi.org/10.1097/nmd.0000000000000899 Hasking, P., Lewis, S. P., & Boyes, M. E. (2019). When language is maladaptive: Recommendations for discussing self-injury. Journal of Public Mental Health , 18 , 148-152. https://doi.org/10.1108/JPMH-01-2019-0014 Klonsky, E. D., Victor, S. E., & Saffer, B. Y. (2014). Nonsuicidal self-injury: What we know, and what we need to know. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry , 59 , 565-568. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F070674371405901101

About Self-Injury Resources / About Self-Injury / What are the Impacts of Self-Injury? What are the Impacts of Self-Injury? "In the short and long term" Self-injury can have varied short- and long-term impacts on individuals, as well as their friends, partners, and families. Short-term In the short-term, many people report that they feel a sense of calm or relief right after they self-injure. However, some people also feel guilty or ashamed and may worry that others will judge them if they found out. Understandably, this can contribute to feelings of anxiety, shame, and isolation. These feelings can also make it hard to reach out for help. In addition to the emotional impacts, physical impacts include injury to the body that may are may not need medical intervention. Some methods of self-injury carry more risk than others when it comes to injuring more severely than intended. Proper wound care is essential to ensure that injuries do not become infected or cause death. Long-term Over the long-term, people who engage in self-injury may report worsening depression or anxiety, physical consequences such as scarring, and difficulties in their close relationships. Parents and caregivers, teachers, and mental health professionals often feel frightened or confused when they find out a young person is engaging in self-injury. Although self-injury is often associated with emotional and social strain, some studies show that the process of addressing, and healing from, self-injury can bring some relationships closer and enhance self-understanding, especially when the person feels well-supported.

Dr Jennifer Muehlenkamp Home / Awards / Invited Fellow / Dr Jennifer Muehlenkamp Dr Jennifer Muehlenkamp Previous Jennifer Muehlenkamp is a Professor at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire, where she is known to collaborate with almost anyone. As the first to formally propose that NSSI is a phenomenon deserving of clinical and research attention in its own right, Jennifer has had a great and long-lasting impact on the field. Encouraging and innovative, Jennifer represents the kind of academic many of us aspire to be. Next ISSS Fellow | 2021

Dr Laurence Claes Home / Awards / Invited Fellow / Dr Laurence Claes Dr Laurence Claes Previous Laurence Claes is a Professor at Ku Leuven in the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Head of Clinical Psychology, and Member of the KU Leuven Child & Youth Institute. Next ISSS Fellow | 2023

Dr Paul Plener Home / Awards / Invited Fellow / Dr Paul Plener Dr Paul Plener Previous Next ISSS Fellow | 2022

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Awards Home / About / Awards Celebrating Achievement, Potential, & Excellence ISSS is proud to recognize excellence in the field through various awards. Read more about each below. Celebrating Excellence Invited Fellows of ISSS are esteemed members who have made outstanding contributions to the field. Through their research, clinical, and/or advocacy work, ISSS Fellows have advanced science and improved the lives of people with lived experience. View More Recognizing Potential ISSS Rising Stars are dedicated early-career researchers, clinicians, or advocates whose work demonstrates potential and commitment to make a significant contribution to the field and to the lives of people with lived experience. View More

2023 - 2024 Home / Collaborative Research Program / NSSI and STB Prediction Proximal mechanisms of NSSI predicting suicide thoughts and behaviors Mentor/s: Jennifer Muehlenkamp 2024 - 2025 Project Overview Affiliation: University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire Project description: Very little is known about the short-term temporal course of NSSI in relation to suicidal behavior, and information about possible mechanisms that facilitate, or reduce, transition to suicidal behavior among those engaging in NSSI is sparse. This project aims to provide data filling gaps in the suicide research by conducting a micro-longitudinal study of transdiagnostic processes believed to interact with and influence risk for suicidal behavior conferred by NSSI. Using the Integrative-Motivational-Volitional (IMV) theory of suicide as a guide, the current study proposes that variability in sleep quality and emotional reactivity will interact with self-perceptions and perceived social connectedness to influence NSSI features and mechanisms of risk to predict near-term, acute, change in suicidal behavior. Young adults reporting current NSSI and suicidal ideation will wear actigraph watches (to obtain sleep data) and complete daily diary assessments of the study variables along with weekly lab-based assessment for 4 weeks, and complete 1- and 2-month follow-ups. Multi-level modeling analyses will examine the moderating effects of sleep and emotional reactivity on the proposed risk-processes to influence NSSI and suicidal behaviors over days, weeks, and months. The results will provide novel and essential information to the field of suicidology by advancing current knowledge about acute risk for suicide and have potential to significantly impact clinical practice by identifying specific, modifiable markers of risk that can translate into clinical targets for assessment and intervention strategies. Applicants should have the following skills: Multi-level modeling /SEM / longitudinal data analytic statistical knowledge, scientific writing experience Junior researcher responsibilities: Assist with data analysis and write up of manuscript; Can conceptualize own research question/project from existing data and co-create a manuscript Anticipated outcome(s) for junior researcher: Peer-reviewed manuscript, Conference presentation(s) Time commitment: Approximately 1 day per week for 4-6 months Application Deadline: June 1, 2024 Apply Now

2023 - 2024 Home / Collaborative Research Program / Cognitive and emotional flexibility... Cognitive and emotional flexibility in youth with NSSI Mentor/s: Tina In-Albon 2023 - 2024 Project Overview The most common function of NSSI is emotion regulation. However, the differentiation between adaptive and maladaptive strategies is overly simplistic. More recent approaches focus on psychological flexibility, which is seen as an important determinant of mental health and well-being. More specifically, the present project will investigate behavioral, cognitive, and emotion regulation flexibility as well as its associations in youth with NSSI. Behavioral flexibility refers to the adaptive change of behavior in response to changing environmental contengenies. Cognitive flexibility, which refers to the ability to adapt responses/strategies based on environmental feedback. Emotion regulation flexibility refers according to Aldao et al. (2015) as “the degree of covariation between variation in the use of one or more emotional regulation strategies across a number of environments, while the environment might consist of external events or appraisals of emotional reactions to such events.” So, there are two core elements to emotional flexibility, sensitivity to situational demands and the ability to regulate emotions accordingly. Details will be discussed. Application Deadline: June 11 2023 Apply Now Previous Next

16th Annual International Conference | 2021 | Online | June 23rd - 25th June Program Download the Abstract Book View all conference content here In 2021, we held our ISSS Conference online. Over 3 days we hosted a range of live and pre-recorded material, including: keynote addresses by our Inaugural Invited Fellows, Prof. Jennifer Muehlenkamp and Dr. Barent Walsh keynote address from our 2021 Rising Star, Dr. Sarah Victor a symposium from students and early career researchers in our Collaborative Research Program a roundtable discussion with individuals with lived experience of NSSI networking opportunities to connect people across the globe

Scandinavia Home / Collaboration / Local Chapters / Scandinavia Unifying NSSI-research Velkommen til den danske afdeling af the International Society for the Study of Self-Injury (ISSS). Her vil du finde et overblik over fremtidige og tidligere nationale konferencer, kurser og netværker relateret til selvskade. Derudover vil der her på hjemmesiden fremgå, hvem der fra Danmark er en del af ISSS, samt hvordan man melder sig ind i ISSS. Welcome to the Danish chapter of ISSS. Here you will find an overview of upcoming and past national conferences, courses, and networks related to self-injury. Additionally, on this website, you will be able to see who from Denmark is part of ISSS, as well as how to become a member of ISSS. Upcoming Events View More Member List View More Get Involved! View More