This practical resource aims to address and dispel the many myths around self-harm and suicide. It will help ensure that young people and adults are aware of the risk factors and appropriate support systems available within their own communities.

This resource is aimed at professionals working with adolescents in both the school and community contexts.According to the Truth hurts Report of the National Inquiry into Self-harm among Young People (UK 2008) self-harm is now a major public health issue affecting at least 1 in 15 of our young people.It presents a major challenge to all those who work in services and organisations that work with young people.

This informative and challenging resource is presented in 5 parts as follows:
Part 1 Understanding self-harm and suicide
Part 2 Proactive interventions
Part 3 Staff training and support for facilitators
Part 4 Staff training: Working with groups of young people
Part 5 The Programme

There are a wealth of attractive and easy to use resources including a format for developing a self-harm policy, information leaflets for parents and carers and students alongside a power point presentation and facilitator notes for introducing the topic and the students programme to staff.

The resource supports the whole school approach to mental health promotion and the development of supportive environments in which staff and students are encouraged to develop self-help skills and support systems to ensure their well-being.The 10 part student programme is accompanied by an audio diary and provides a safe framework in which students can develop preventative strategies and techniques alongside recognising the importance of peer support and appropriate access to therapeutic agencies.

This is a practical, sensitively constructed and timely resource.

Self-harm and Suicide: The Professional Development File is suitable for professionals working with adolescents in a range or educational, social and clinical contexts and the student programme is suitable for young people aged 13 18 years.

Chapter breakdown

ForewordPart One: Understanding Self-harm and SuicideIntroductionDefinitionsRates of Self-harmWhy Self-harm?Myths and StereotypesSuicideSuicide Rates and ResponsesRisk FactorsPart Two: Proactive InterventionsIntroductionEmotional LiteracyDefinitions of Mental Health and Mental Health PromotionCultural ViewsLimitations of InterventionsClient Identification for Small Group WorkReferring On The Legal PositionTeaching Successful Distraction TechniquesInformation Leaflets and Policy for SchoolsWorking with Other ColleaguesPart Three: Staff Training and Support for FacilitatorsIntroductionThe Importance of Training and SupervisionThe Long and Slow ProcessReferrals to Specialist Agencies What Happens Next?Crisis CardsProblem-solving TherapyDialectic Behaviour TherapyCognitive Behaviour TherapyFamily TherapyPart Four: Staff Training Working with Groups of Young PeopleIntroductionActivity OneActivity TwoActivity ThreePowerPoint PresentationPart Five: The ProgrammeIntroductionStructure of the ProgrammeStructure of the SessionsReferencesSession One: What do we Understand by Self-harm and Suicide?Session Two: Focus on StressSession Three: The Ways in which we Self-harmSession Four: Strategies ScenarioSession Five: Helping Friends who Self-harmSession Six: Coping SkillsSession Seven: A Suicide AttemptSession Eight: Self-harm and Suicide in the MediaSession Nine: BereavementSession Ten: Conclusion and EvaluationResourcesDeveloping a Self-harm PolicySelf-harm Example PolicyLetter for Parents and CarersLetter for StudentsInformation Leaflet

Description

A4, printable from the CD-Rom or to copy from the A4 page; includes PowerPoint presentation and a hardback binder

About the Authors:

Elizabeth Smith is currently the assistant manager of Hillingdon behaviour support team, working cross-phase in schools throughout the borough. Elizabeth began teaching in 1991 in Holland Park Comprehensive in London and remained in mainstream education for eight years before moving to a secondary pupil referral unit for three years.

Tina Rae is a senior educational psychologist (behaviour) who has written extensively on topics such as emotional literacy, behaviour management, PSHE and citizenship. She continues to work directly with both teachers and students to develop new programmes and resources

[ISBN: 9781906517854; Pages: 150 + CD-Rom]

[Authors: Elizabeth Smith & Tina Rae; Age Suitability: Secondary]