Stockholm, Sweden 2026 Conferences / 21st Annual Conference | Stockholm, Sweden 25th - 26th June, 2026 In 2026, we will host our 21st Annual International Conference in Stockholm, Sweden. Conference Schedule Information for Presenters Details Register for the conference Additional registration information NOTE: If you are from a low or low-middle income nation , please email ISSS2026@akademikonferens.se for a 20% discount. Welcome to ISSS Conference 2026 in Stockholm, Sweden We are delighted to invite you to the ISSS 2026 Conference, taking place in the vibrant city of Stockholm from 25th - 26th of June, with a preconference on the 24th of June. This international gathering will bring together researchers in the field of NSSI to sharecutting-edge science and foster collaboration. Join us for two days of engaging keynote lectures, interactive sessions, and networking opportunities in one of Europe’s most dynamic and scenic capitals. Whether it’s your first time or you’re a regular at the conference, ISSS 2026 promises to be a memorable and impactful experience. We look forward to welcoming you to Stockholm! IMPORTANT DATES: 30th of March – Conference program announced 11th of May – Early bird registration ends GENERAL INFORMATION: Venue The conference will be held at Campus GIH (The Swedish school of sport and health sciences) which is centrally situated. The location next to classic sports arenas and a beautiful eco park is ideal, offering both natural and cultural values. How to find GIH The visiting address is Lidingövägen 1, 114 33 Stockholm Location in Google Maps Parking spaces are limited and require a special permit. We therefore recommend using public transportation or parking along Valhallavägen when visiting GIH. Directions with public transport From the central station (T-Centralen), take the metro, red line number 14 towards Mörby Centrum. Get off at the station Stadion. Follow the signs guiding you to “Stadion” and “Idrottshögskolan”. Outside the ticket line, continue ahead and take the exit to your right. When outside the station, follow the road to the traffic lights on Valhallavägen/Lidingövägen. Cross the street, turn right and follow Lidingövägen along the Olympic Stadium. After the clock tower you will see the yellow GIH sign. Proceed up the hill on your right. The main entrance with reception is the building with the statue on the stairs. Travel Before you book your travel, please consider if you can choose a more sustainable transport (e.g., train instead of plane, bus/train/metro instead of taxi, etc.) To Stockholm by train Stockholm Centralstation is the city's main hub of transportation. The station is centrally located and also connects to the T-Centralen metro station. Some regional and national train lines also stop at Stockholm Södra, Stockholm Odenplan, Flemingsberg, or Älvsjö Station. Train tickets can only be bought in Stockholm Centralstation's ticket dispensers or online – there's no staffed ticket office, but there are station hosts should you need any assistance or help. Tour & Tickets in the main hall sells tickets for the VR train though, and you can buy public transport tickets at SL Center located below the ground floor. There are also several restaurants and shops, and lockers for your bags. Stockholm Centralstation is also connected to Cityterminalen bus depot, the main hub for regional or international bus travelers. The Flygbussarna airport coaches also make a stop here. To and from the airport Stockholm-Arlanda Airport is located 40 kilometers (25 miles) north of Stockholm City. The Arlanda Express train provides a shuttle service between Stockholm Arlanda Airport and Stockholm Central Station. The platform is easily accessible underneath the arrival terminals. The trains depart every 10 minutes in rush hour traffic and every 15 minutes at other times. Travel time: 18 minutes. All trains offer free wifi. Buy tickets here . Flygbussarna Airport Coaches depart every 15–30 minutes between Arlanda Airport and the City Terminal (located next to the Central Station). Travel time from Arlanda: 35–45 minutes. Buses also run to Liljeholmen via Karolinska, Fridhemsplan, and Södermalm (50 min) and to Brommaplan via Kista and Sundbyberg. (54 min). All buses offer free wifi. Public transportation By metro, tram, bus, ferry, or commuter train. Stockholm's local transportation network takes you (almost) anywhere! You can plan your journey and read more about the various subway lines, buses, and trams on SL's webpage . Thorildsplan subway station Passport and Visas Delegates are advised to contact the nearest embassy, consulate or travel agency for information about the passport and visa requirements from their country for entry to Sweden. Accommodation There are many hotels in central Stockholm to choose from, ranging from budget-friendly options to more comfortable stays. Here is a selection located within convenient distance from the conference venue: Home Hotel Tapto *special price for conference guests* Scandic Park Elite Eden Park Hotel Mornington Hotel Stockholm City Hotel Kung Karl Scandic Anglais Story Hotel Ett Hem Interior of Home Hotel Tapto Exterior of Ett Hem What to do in Stockholm If you are joining us in Stockholm for the conference, you are arriving at one of the most beautiful times of the year. Late June brings long, luminous evenings — daylight often stretches well past 9 pm, giving you the chance to enjoy the city even after the day’s sessions are over. Stockholm’s unique setting on the water means you are never far from nature. A short boat ride takes you into the archipelago, with its thousands of islands, perfect for an afternoon excursion or a leisurely evening cruise, very close to the city you’ll find Fjäderholmarna . Within the city, you can explore the historic charm of Gamla Stan, stroll the green parks and museums (e.g., the Vasa Museum ) of Djurgården, or enjoy the vibrant cafés and viewpoints of Södermalm. The city is alive with cultural events, exhibitions, and festivals during this season, making it an ideal time to combine professional exchange with leisure and discovery. For inspiration and practical tips on what to see and do, we recommend exploring Visit Stockholm : visitstockholm.com . Cruise to Fjäderholmarna Island Stortorget in Gamla Stan (Old Town) Climate and clothing It is summer in Stockholm and the temperatures can vary from 15-25 °C/59-77°F. The organisers suggest that you bring a jacket and an umbrella or raincoat. Weather information and forecasts: smhi.se (Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute) – Weather forecasts in Swedish only yr.no (Norwegian Radio cooperation with Norwegian Meteorological Institute) – Weather forecasts available in English. Local Currency The Swedish monetary unit is the Swedish krona (SEK), divided into 100 öre. Approximately: Euro 1 = SEK 11.16, USD 1 = SEK 9.58 and GBP 1 = SEK 12.90. Major credit cards are accepted almost everywhere. There are several currency exchange offices and cash dispensers at Stockholm Arlanda International Airport and in Stockholm. Please note: There are many cashless shops in Sweden and we recommend you to bring a credit card that is open for transactions made abroad. Exchange rates may vary. To see current exchange rates, please ask your bank, or visit a web based currency converter, for example oanda.com , x-rates.com , or your choice of bank or converter service. ADDITIONAL CONFERENCE-RELATED INFORMATION: About the pre-conference workshop: Hughes Pre Workshop Outline .pdf Download PDF • 138KB About our invited speakers: ISSS 2026 Invited Speakers .pdf Download PDF • 178KB We look forward to seeing you in Stockholm!

2023 - 2024 Home / Collaborative Research Program / FIS Validation Validation of a novel Future Imagery Scale and exploration in a sample of YP with and without NSSI Mentor/s: Martina Di Simplicio 2024 - 2025 Project Overview Affiliation: Imperial College London, United Kingdom Project description: Anticipatory mental imagery of self-injury often precedes engaging in NSSI. Growing evidence suggests it also plays a role in driving urges and facilitating self-injury (Lawrence et al. 2023). However, it remains unknown whether individual differences in the general use of future mental imagery, both of positive and negative valence, might be relevant to NSSI, for example in the form of less frequent or less vivid imagery of future goals and rewards. We developed a novel self-report scale seeking to assess the characteristics of future mental imagery use, the Future Imagery Scale (FIS). Approximately 250 students / young people from the general population completed the scale, as well as 50 YP with NSSI, 50 YP with disordered eating and 50 YP with negative affect but no history of NSSI/other dysregulated behaviours. These were participants from two different studies who also completed various measures of affect, impulsivity and emotion regulation. The aim of the project is to a) assess the psychometric properties of the current scale, 2) explore it's association with NSSI and other mental health measures, and 3) review and develop a final measure of the FIS Applicants should have the following skills: Some data processing skills and statistical skills (e.g. factor analysis, ANOVA); good collaborator. Junior researcher responsibilities: They will process data, conduct analysis under supervision or independently as appropriate and contribute to write-up of results. Anticipated outcome(s) for junior researcher: Exposure to numerous experimental studies in the broad field of NSSI, mental imagery and cognitive mechanism, with opportunities to also support these. Depending on level of writing skills, first or middle authorship on paper. Time commitment: Flexibile weekly hours for 2-8 months Application Deadline: June 1, 2024 Apply Now

2023 - 2024 Home / Collaborative Research Program / Real-Time Monitoring of NSSI Using real-time monitoring to study social interactions and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) cognitions and behaviors among individuals seeking care Mentor/s: Glenn Kiekens and Laurence Claes 2024 - 2025 Project Overview Affiliations: Tilburg University & Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Netherlands & Belgium Project description: Recent advances in real-time monitoring technologies (i.e., multiple measurements a day via smartphones) have revolutionized our ability to study NSSI cognitions and behaviors, and its potential psychosocial risk factors, in the natural environment. This CRP project will use real-time monitoring data from the Detection of Acute Risk of Self-Injury (DAILY) project (Kiekens et al., 2023), a 28-day ecological momentary assessment study with six daily assessments among 125 individuals aged 15-39 years receiving inpatient and/or outpatient mental health services. Using an ideation-to-action framework, we will study the relationship between social interactions (e.g., being alone versus with others) and appraisals thereof and its contemporeanous and temporal relationship with both NSSI cognitions (thoughts, urges, and self-efficacy to resist NSSI) and NSSI behavior. We will evaluate whether increased risk for NSSI behavior operates via feelings of loneliness in a within-person mediation model. The introduction, methods, and analysis plan will be postregistred on the Open-Science Framework. Protocol paper of the DAILY project: Kiekens, G., Claes, L., Schoefs, S., Kemme, N. D. F., Luyckx, K., Kleiman, E. M., Nock, M. K., & Myin-Germeys, I. (2023). The Detection of Acute Risk of Self-injury Project: Protocol for an Ecological Momentary Assessment Study Among Individuals Seeking Treatment. JMIR Res Protoc, 12, e46244. https://doi.org/10.2196/46244 Applicants should have the following skills: The project will include an exhaustive review of relevant literature and empirical research and is open to researchers who are interested in clinical research and who have already some experience with more complex modeling approaches (e.g., Dynamic Structural Equation Modelling in Mplus). Junior researcher responsibilities: The researcher will be responsible for writing first drafts of the preregistration and the manuscript. Analyses will be conducted with the support of Dr. Kiekens. Anticipated outcome(s) for junior researcher: We will aim to work towards a conference presentation and publication. Time commitment: Approximately 1 day per week for an academic year Application Deadline: June 1, 2024 Apply Now

Contact Us Home / About / Contact Us Get in touch Please note that this contact form is for general inquiries only. While we offer information and resources about self-injury, ISSS is unable to provide crisis support, clinical services, or treatment. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger or needs urgent help, please contact local emergency mental health services in your area. You can find a list of suggested services at https://www.helpguide.org/find-help First Name Last Name Email What is your message about? * Required Membership Conference Advocacy Research Clinical Publication Other Message Subscribe to the newsletter Send Sent! We'll be in touch soon :)

Nancy Heath, PhD, from McGill University in Canada explains how schools can respond appropriately to students who engage in self-injury and self-harm. Season 1 | Episode 20 Podcast/ Season 1 | Episode 20 Self-Injury in Schools Dec 3, 2021 with Dr. Nancy Heath Self-Injury in Schools with Dr. Nancy Heath 00:00 / 01:04 How can schools appropriately respond to students who engage in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), whether the behavior occurs at home, on school grounds, or elsewhere? What protocols exist to support schools to better respond to students who self-injure? What role does liability play? In this episode, Dr. Nancy Heath of McGill University in Montreal, Canada explains how schools can support students who engage in self-injury and self-harm. Learn more about Dr. Heath's work here , and learn more about her work with the Development and Intrapersonal Resilience (DAIR) Research Team here . Learn more about the International Consortium on Self-Injury in Educational Settings (ICSES) at http://icsesgroup.org/ . Self-injury Outreach & Support (SiOS) offers resources for schools here and a list of do's and don'ts here . Visit SiOS at http://sioutreach.org and follow them on Facebook ( www.facebook.com/sioutreach ) and Twitter ( https://twitter.com/sioutreach ). Below are links to some of Dr. Heath's research as well as resources referenced in this episode: Hasking, P. A., Bloom, E., Lewis, S. P., & Baetens, I. (2020). Developing a policy, and professional development for school staff, to address and respond to nonsuicidal self-injury in schools . International Perspectives in Psychology: Research, Practice, Consultation, 9 (3), 176. Berger, E., Hasking, P., & Reupert, A. (2015). Developing a policy to address nonsuicidal self-injury in schools . Journal of School Health, 85 (9), 629-647. Lloyd-Richardson, E. E., Hasking, P., Lewis, S.P., Hamza, C., McAllister, M., Baetens, I., & Muehlenkamp, J. (2020). Addressing self-injury in schools, part 1: understanding nonsuicidal self-injury and the importance of respectful curiosity in supporting youth who engage in self-injury . NASN School Nurse, 35 (2), 92-98. Lloyd-Richardson, E. E., Hasking, P., Lewis, S.P., Hamza, C., McAllister, M., Baetens, I., & Muehlenkamp, J. (2020). Addressing self-injury in schools, part 2: how school nurses can help with supporting assessment, ongoing care, and referral for treatment . NASN School Nurse, 35 (2), 99-103. Lewis, S. P., Heath, N. L., Hasking, P. A., Hamza, C. A., Bloom, E. L., Lloyd-Richardson, E. E., & Whitlock, J. (2019). Advocacy for improved response to self-injury in schools: A call to action for school psychologists . Psychological Services, 17 (S1), 86–92. De Riggi, M. E., Moumne, S., Heath, N. L., & Lewis, S. P. (2017). Non-suicidal self-injury in our schools: a review and research-informed guidelines for school mental health professionals . Canadian Journal of School Psychology, 32 (2), 122-143. Whitlock, J. L., Baetens, I., Lloyd-Richardson, E., Hasking, P., Hamza, C., Lewis, S., Franz, P., & Robinson, K. (2018). Helping schools support caregivers of youth who self-injure: Considerations and recommendations . School Psychology International, 39 (3), 312-328. Hasking, P. A., Heath, N. L., Kaess, M., Lewis, S. P., Plener, P. L., Walsh, B. W., .Whitlock, J., & Wilson, M. S. (2016). Position paper for guiding response to non-suicidal self-injury in schools . School Psychology International, 37 (6), 644-663. Open access here . Book: Self-Injury in Youth: The Essential Guide to Assessment and Intervention (2008) by Drs. Mary Nixon & Nancy Heath Follow Dr. Westers on Instagram and Twitter (@DocWesters). To join ISSS, visit itriples.org and follow ISSS on Facebook and Twitter (@ITripleS). The Psychology of Self-Injury podcast has been rated #5 by Feedspot in their " Top 15 Clinical Psychology Podcasts You Must Follow in 2021 " and by Welp Magazine in their " 20 Best Injury Podcasts of 2021 ." Previous Next

Collaborative Research Program Home / Collaborative Research Program / 2024 Current Projects The 2024-25 cycle of the ISSS Collaborative Research Program (CRP) is now open for applicants! The ISSS CRP provides an opportunity for doctoral students and early career researchers (less than 5 years post PhD) to work with a leading NSSI researcher, who is not their supervisor, on a dedicated research project. Available CRP opportunities are listed below. Apply Now Proximal mechanisms of NSSI predicting suicide thoughts and behaviors Mentored by: Jennifer Muehlenkamp Read More NSSI and other life-threatening behaviours among adolescents in China Mentored by: Moye Xin Read More Validation of a novel Future Imagery Scale and exploration in a sample of YP with and without NSSI Mentored by: Martina Di Simplicio Read More Characteristics of nonsuicidal self-injury disorder in youth and psychometric evaluation of the Clinician-Administered Nonsuicidal Self-Injury Disorder Index Mentored by: Johan Bjureberg Read More Using real-time monitoring to study social interactions and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) cognitions and behaviors among individuals seeking care Mentored by: Glenn Kiekens and Laurence Claes Read More

Stigma, Recovery, and Lived Experience Collaboration / Special Interest Groups / Stigma, Recovery, and Lived Experience Advocates for Change The Lived Experience Stigma and Recovery Special Interest Group focuses on the lived experience of self-injury, paying particular attention to issues related to stigma and recovery. Our Mission Discover More Click here to view the NSSI "Wiki" page! Representative/s of Stigma, Recovery, and Lived Experience Stephen Lewis slewis03@uoguelph.ca

Online 2021 Conferences / 16th Annual Conference | Online 23rd - 25th June, 2021 In 2021, we hosted our 16th Annual International Conference online. Conference Schedule Information for Presenters Details Register for the conference Additional registration information NOTE: If you are from a low or low-middle income nation , please email ISSS2026@akademikonferens.se for a 20% discount. In 2021, we hosted our 16th Annual International Conference online. Over three days we hosted a range of live and pre-recorded material, including Keynote addresses by Prof. Jennifer Muehlenkamp and Dr. Barent Walsh, an ISSS Rising Star Address from Dr. Sarah Victor, the first Collaborative Research Program Symposium, and a Lived Experience Roundtable discussion. Program ISSS 2021 Conference Program .pdf Download PDF • 13.22MB Abstract Book ISSS 2021 Conference Abstract Book .pdf Download PDF • 1.11MB Presentation Slides Members-only Content Presentation Videos Conference Content

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

Home / Awards / Invited Fellow / Dr. Paul L. Plener Dr. Paul L. Plener Previous Dr. Paul L. Plener is a Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Head of the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the Medical University of Vienna (Austria). His internationally recognized research examines self-injury, suicide prevention, and adolescent mental health services, combining rigorous empirical study with a deep concern for clinical relevance. Dr. Plener has been instrumental in advancing knowledge about the developmental pathways of self-injury and improving access to evidence-based care for young people across Europe. He is known for his collaborative spirit, global leadership in mental health research, and his commitment to ensuring that scientific insights translate into real-world healing and prevention. Next ISSS Fellow | 2022

2023 - 2024 Home / Collaborative Research Program / CANDI Validation in Youth Characteristics of nonsuicidal self-injury disorder in youth and psychometric evaluation of the Clinician-Administered Nonsuicidal Self-Injury Disorder Index Mentor/s: Johan Bjureberg 2024 - 2025 Project Overview Affiliation: Karolinska Institutet, Sweden Project description: Although NSSI usually debuts in adolescence, few studies have examined the full set of DSM-5 NSSID diagnostic criteria in youth. In this study, we will analyze the reliability and validity of the structured diagnostic interview Clinician-Administered NSSI Disorder Index (CANDI) and provide information on the clinical characteristics and features of DSM-5 NSSID in youth. Data on the internal consistency, factor structure, and construct validity of the CANDI and associated characteristics of NSSID will be analyzed in a clinical sample of youth (N = 166; (mean [SD] age, 15.0 [1.2] years; 154 [92.8%] female) with recent recurrent NSSI (≥5 days with NSSI the past year and ≥1 episode in the month). Participants and their caregivers completed self-report measures of NSSI characteristics, psychopathology, and emotion dysregulation, and clinicians assess diagnostic interviews of borderline personality disorder (SCID–II), common mental disorders (Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview), global functioning, and clinical severity. Applicants should have the following skills: Interest in psychometric evaluations and experience conducting literature search Junior research responsibilities: Conducting literature search, drafting the manuscript, and assist in data analysis Anticipated outcome(s) for junior researcher: Co-authorship on an academic peer-reviewed paper Time commitment: Approximately 1 day per week for 6 months Application Deadline: June 1, 2024 Apply Now

Caroline Roberts from the University of Minnesota bridges the conversation gap between self-injurious behavior (SIB) and nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), including self-harm among individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Season 3 | Episode 41 Podcast/ Season 3 | Episode 41 Self-Injury in Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Sep 29, 2023 with Caroline Roberts Self-Injury in Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (IDD) with Caroline Roberts 00:00 / 01:04 Up to 1 in 5 (20%) individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and about 3 in 7 (42%) individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) engage in self-injurious behavior (SIB). Common forms of SIB include repetitive head banging, head-hitting, self-biting, self-hitting, eye-poking, skin-picking, and trichotillomania (hair pulling), among other forms of self-harm. In this episode, Caroline Roberts from the University of Minnesota and Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain discusses the differences and similarities between SIB and nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) and how we can bridge the gap between NSSI research and clinical practice, and SIB among those with IDD. She also shares 4 key topics from her interviews with experts in SIB and NSSI: (1) case ascertainment, (2) perceptions of causal variables, (3) pathways to treatment, and (4) treatment goals and outcomes. Learn more about the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain and their interdisciplinary approaches to understanding and improving SIB workgroup here . Follow Caroline on Twitter/X at @clrobz . Below are one of her papers and other research referenced in today's episode: Roberts, C. L., Avina, A. H., & Symons, F. J. (2023). A qualitative analysis of family caregiver experiences accessing treatment for self-injurious behavior in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities . Journal of Mental Health Research in Intellectual Disabilities . Dimian, A. F., & Symons, F. J. (2022). A systematic review of risk for the development and persistence of self-injurious behavior in intellectual and developmental disabilities. Clinical Psychology Review, 94 , 102158. Steenfeldt-Kristensen, C., Jones, C. A., & Richards, C. (2020). The prevalence of self-injurious behaviour in autism: A meta-analytic study . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 50 (11), 3857-3873. Follow Dr. Westers on Instagram and Twitter/X (@DocWesters). To join ISSS, visit itriples.org and follow ISSS on Facebook and Twitter/X (@ITripleS). The Psychology of Self-Injury podcast has been rated #1 by Feedspot in their list of " 10 Best Self Harm Podcasts " and #5 in their " 20 Best Clinical Psychology Podcasts ." It has also been featured in Audible's " Best Mental Health Podcasts to Defy Stigma and Begin to Heal ." Previous Next