Addressing Self-Injury in the School Setting

Abstract

A growing number of students presenting with nonlethal self-injury has recently captured the attention of school nurses. The purpose of intentional self-harm is aimed at reducing emotional distress. This is not a new phenomenon, but what is alarming is the increasing incidence of self-injurious behavior among adolescents. This behavior is raising many questions for school staff. School nurses, along with guidance department staff, are searching for information and direction needed to address this behavior. School nurses, educated about self-injury, can serve as resources for other school staff members. Prevention strategies for all adolescents can be developed as well as strategies targeted at groups of at-risk adolescents. Because mental health care is critical for the treatment of self-injury, referral and early access to counseling is an important role for school nurses. In addition, a plan that includes educating staff members and parents can be developed. Included in this comprehensive plan is developing a protocol to be used to guide the care of adolescents who self-injure.

Accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative? The variable value dynamics of non-suicidal self-hurting

“…Miller and Smith, 2008) and a trend assumed to be rapidly increasing (e.g. Shapiro, 2008). The small amount of historical research undertaken (Alderson, 1974;Kessler et al, 1999) is consistent with this view.…”

Australian psychologists' attitudes towards suicide and self‐harm

“…During the [2003][2004] year more than 24,000 self-harming clients were hospitalised for their injuries (Berry & Harrison, 2007), and there are indications that the rate of self-harm is increasing (Shapiro, 2008). During the [2003][2004] year more than 24,000 self-harming clients were hospitalised for their injuries (Berry & Harrison, 2007), and there are indications that the rate of self-harm is increasing (Shapiro, 2008).…”

A Systematic Literature Review: Self-Mutilation among Adolescents as a Phenomenon and Help for it—What Kind of Knowledge is Lacking?

“…Some nursing interventions for the inpatient milieu have been described (Aanderaa & Meling, 2004;Askew & Byrne, 2009;Brodtkorb, 2001;Pawlicki & Gaumer, 1993). Moreover, guidelines for nursing practice based on previous literature have been presented (Hicks & Hinck, 2009;Lesniak, 2008;Roux & Overcash, 2008;Woldorf, 2005), especially for the school context (Onacki, 2005;Shapiro, 2008), Accident and Emergency departments (McAllister, 2003b;Whotton, 2002), and from the viewpoint of mental health nurses (Anderson, Woodward, & Armstrong, 2004). The relationship between the nurse and the adolescent is often the basis for help to ensure a smooth interdisciplinary treatment process, and nurses as members of treatment teams are, therefore, in need of information on self-injury (Woldorf, 2005).…”