Detailed contribution information
| Contribution title | A Unique Protocol for Non-Suicidal Self-Injury in a Psychiatric Day Treatment Setting |
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| Contribution code | D2.078 |
| Authors | |
| Form of presentation | Poster |
| Topic |
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| Abstract |
Over the past two decades, there has been a dramatic rise in the prevalence of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) as a persistent symptom among adolescents and young adults with various mental health disorders. While qualitatively distinct from self-harm with suicidal intent, the severity and associated risks of NSSI necessitate addressing it as a central and primary aim in the treatment of these conditions. To facilitate systematic and effective work with adolescents suffering from NSSI, a unique protocol for working with youths suffering from NSSI was developed for use in a psychiatric day treatment unit for adolescents. The protocol takes the limited resources available in the training of young and frequently changing professional teams into account, and is loosely based on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) principles, which were adapted to simplify implementation. It includes structured and unstructured intervention principles, a weekly questionnaire and monitoring process, and an assessment of gradual improvement over time. In recent years, this protocol has been used clinically with dozens of patients, yielding positive outcomes. Following ethics approval it is currently in the early stages of formal research. Although the study is ongoing, extensive clinical experience has already demonstrated significant and stable improvements in this symptom over the course of long-term treatment for many clients. This presentation will outline the clinical protocol, which is relatively simple to implement in day treatment settings, and highlight its potential for effective intervention in similar clinical settings. |