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Maryam Gholamrezaei, PhD, C.Psych, from Toronto, Canada, discusses self-injury and help-seeking among ethnically diverse populations and shares cultural insights into reasons for self-harm among individuals in the Middle East. Season 4 | Episode 54 Podcast/ Season 4 | Episode 54 Self-Injury Among Ethnically Diverse Populations Oct 25, 2024 Dr. Maryam Gholamrezaei Self-Injury Among Ethnically Diverse Populations Dr. Maryam Gholamrezaei 00:00 / 01:04 In this episode, Maryam Gholamrezaei, PhD, C.Psych, shares about her interviews with racially and ethnically diverse individuals who self-injure, including their responses to her question, “In your culture, what is the general response to people who engage in self-harming behaviors?” She also discusses gender differences in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) among different ethnic groups and offers unique insights into how the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East may influence an individual's decision to self-harm. Learn more about Dr. Gholamrezaei on her website at https://drmaryamgholamrezaei.ca/ . Below are some publications written by Dr. Gholamrezaei as well as Dr. Westers' editorial: Gholamrezaei, M., Heath, N. L., Pereira, L., De Stefano, J., & Böke, B. N. (2023). Nonsuicidal self-injury, mental health service use, and cultural perspectives among ethnically diverse university students . Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health, 42 (1), 15-40. Gholamrezaei, M., De Stefano, J., & Heath, N. L. (2017). Nonsuicidal self-injury across cultures and ethnic and racial minorities: A review . International Journal of Psychology, 52 (4), 316–326. Gholamrezaei, M., Heath, N., & Panaghi, L. (2016). Non-suicidal self-injury in a sample of university students in Tehran, Iran: prevalence, characteristics and risk factors . International Journal of Culture and Mental Health , 10 (2), 136–149. Westers, N. J. (2024). Cultural interpretations of nonsuicidal self-injury and suicide: Insights from around the world . Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 29 (4), 1231-1235. Previous Next

Together, a dad and his young adult daughter share their story of her self-injury and self-harm. Season 3 | Episode 37 Podcast/ Season 3 | Episode 37 A Dad & Daughter Discuss Her Lived Experience of Self-Harm May 26, 2023 A Dad & Daughter Discuss Her Lived Experience of Self-Harm 00:00 / 01:04 What is a parent's role in helping their child recover from self-injury? What might a dad say about supporting his child when he learns his child is engaging in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI)? In this episode, a father and daughter sit down to discuss her lived experience of self-injury and self-harm and how parents, especially dads, can support their child. This is a shared story. 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 " 20 Best Clinical Psychology Podcasts " and also featured in Audible's " Best Mental Health Podcasts to Defy Stigma and Begin to Heal ." Previous Next

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

Christina Beck, a screenwriter, director, and actress discusses her film "PERFECTION" and what inspired her to create a film in which the protagonist engages in self-injury and self-harm. Season 2 | Episode 26 Podcast/ Season 2 | Episode 26 Self-Injury in Film: "PERFECTION" the Movie Jun 30, 2022 with Actor & Director Christina Beck Self-Injury in Film: "PERFECTION" the Movie with Actor & Director Christina Beck 00:00 / 01:04 Every screenwriter and film director is different and each has their own intentions and motivations, but what goes into the writing of characters who engage in self-injury and self-harm? How are such films inspired, and how do writers and directors choose to frame self-injury content? In this episode, screenwriter, director, and actress Christina Beck discusses her independent feature film "PERFECTION" and what inspired the characters and content of the film. This episode was recorded as a live virtual session held during the 17th annual ISSS Conference on June 24, 2022. To watch PERFECTION (for free), visit perfectionthemovie.wordpress.com and click on "Watch PERFECTION NOW !" Download the movie's free companion workbook here . Please note that some content in the film could be upsetting or triggering, including depictions of self-injury, substance use, and brief flashbacks that allude to sexual abuse. Christina is also a film professor at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, CA. You can follow her on Twitter at @xtinabeck and Facebook at www.facebook.com/perfectionfilm . To review the Media Guidelines for the Responsible Reporting and Depicting of Non-Suicidal Self-Injury published in the British Journal of Psychiatry, click here . You can also visit www.itriples.org/media-guidelines to read the original ISSS white paper and its accompanied infographic. 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 " Best 20 Clinical Psychology Podcasts " and by Welp Magazine in their " 20 Best Injury Podcasts ." 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

Home / Awards / Invited Fellow / Dr. Stephen P. Lewis Dr. Stephen P. Lewis Previous Dr. Stephen P. Lewis is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Guelph (Canada) and one of the world’s leading voices in self-injury research and advocacy. His work explores NSSI, online communities, and how digital spaces can serve as both risks and sources of support for people who self-injure. Dr. Lewis’s research is deeply informed by collaboration with people who have lived experience, and he has been instrumental in shaping more compassionate, stigma-reducing approaches to understanding self-injury. Beyond academia, he is a passionate advocate for mental health awareness and a frequent public speaker whose openness and empathy have inspired countless individuals and researchers worldwide. His work is widely respected for its compassion, insight, and dedication to amplifying the voices of those with lived experience. Next ISSS Fellow | 2025

Home / Awards / Invited Fellow / Dr. Penelope A. Hasking Dr. Penelope A. Hasking Previous Dr. Penelope A. Hasking is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Curtin University (Australia). Her research focuses on the emotional, cognitive, and social factors that contribute to NSSI and related behaviors. She has played a central role in advancing emotion regulation models of self-injury and in developing prevention and intervention programs that are both evidence-based and sensitive to the needs of young people. Dr. Hasking’s work also highlights the importance of understanding social connectedness, self-compassion, and help-seeking behavior. She is known for her thoughtful mentorship, scientific rigor, and her dedication to making psychological research meaningful and applicable in everyday life. Her work stands out for its clarity, empathy, and commitment to real-world impact. Next ISSS Fellow | 2025

2023 - 2024 Home / Collaborative Research Program / Peer responses... Peer responses to self-injury Mentor/s: Imke Baetens 2023 - 2024 Project Overview By exploring the impact of self-injury on peers to whom the behavior has been disclosed we will be closer to understanding peer disclosure reactions, and using this understanding to develop resources for people who self-injure and their peers. This research proposal targets university students who know someone who self-injures (whether this has been voluntary disclosed or not). Quantitative data has been collected at multiple sites (i.e., Belgium, Canada, USA and Australia) through online surveys. Datasets are available using quantitative measures. The junior researcher could contribute by taking the lead in data analyses and contribute to updating the literature review on this subject. Application Deadline: June 11 2023 Apply Now Previous Next

Kirsty from New Zealand shares her story of lived experience of self-injury and how her experiences inform her work in advocating for, and instilling hope in, others with similar stories of self-harm. Season 2 | Episode 30 Podcast/ Season 2 | Episode 30 Lived Experience: Kirsty's Story of Self-Injury & Advocacy Oct 28, 2022 Lived Experience: Kirsty's Story of Self-Injury & Advocacy 00:00 / 01:04 In this episode, Kirsty Moore details her experience of engaging in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) beginning at age 14 and into her 30's. She discusses her training in psychology and how she integrates research on NSSI with her lived experience of self-harm as a form of advocacy when conducting workshops on NSSI for the community. Connect with Dr. Kirsty on Instagram at @dr_kirsty_coaching . 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 " Best 20 Clinical Psychology Podcasts " and by Welp Magazine in their " 20 Best Injury Podcasts ." Previous Next

Marc Wilson, PhD, from Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand shares about cross-cultural representations of self-injury and self-harm. Season 2 | Episode 24 Podcast/ Season 2 | Episode 24 Self-Harm Across Cultures, with Dr. Marc Wilson Apr 29, 2022 with Dr. Marc Wilson Self-Harm Across Cultures, with Dr. Marc Wilson with Dr. Marc Wilson 00:00 / 01:04 Are there countries, races, or ethnicities with higher or lower rates of self-injury? How prevalent is NSSI among indigenous peoples, and what role does culture play in the form, function, and meaning of self-injury? In this episode, Dr. Marc Wilson from Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington in Aotearoa New Zealand shares about cross-cultural representations of self-injury and self-harm. Learn more about Dr. Wilson and his work at https://people.wgtn.ac.nz/Marc.Wilson . Below are links to some of the research referenced in this episode: Sansone, R. A., Wiederman, M. W., & Sansone, L.A. (1998). The Self-Harm Inventory (SHI): development of a scale for identifying self-destructive behaviors and borderline personality disorder . Journal of Clinical Psychology, 54 (7), 973–983. Sansone, R. A., & Sansone, L. A. (2010). Measuring self-harm behavior with the Self-Harm Inventory . Psychiatry (Edgmont), 7 (4), 16-20. Gratz, K. L. (2001). Measurement of deliberate self-harm: Preliminary data on the Deliberate Self-Harm Inventory . Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 23 (4), 253-263. Monto, M. A., McRee, N., & Deryck, F. S. (2018). Nonsuicidal self-injury among a representative sample of US adolescents, 2015 . American Journal of Public Health, 108 , 1042-1048. Favazza, A. R. (2011). Bodies under siege: Self-mutilation, nonsuicidal self-injury, and body modification in culture and psychiatry (3rd ed.). Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press. Wilson, M. S. (in press). Cross-cultural representations of nonsuicidal self-injury. In E. E. Lloyd-Richardson, I. Baetens, & J. Whitlock (Eds.), The handbook of nonsuicidal self-injury . Oxford University Press. 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 " Best 20 Clinical Psychology Podcasts " and by Welp Magazine in their " 20 Best Injury Podcasts ." Previous Next

Taylor Burke, PhD, from Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital discusses the psychological effects of scars resulting from self-injury and self-harm. Season 2 | Episode 31 Podcast/ Season 2 | Episode 31 The Psychology of Self-Injury Scarring Nov 25, 2022 with Dr. Taylor Burke The Psychology of Self-Injury Scarring with Dr. Taylor Burke 00:00 / 01:04 How are scars from nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) different than physical scars that are unintentional or result from non-self-inflicted wounds ? What psychological effects can result from daily reminders of one's own decision to self-harm? Is there an association between NSSI scars and suicidal thoughts and behaviors? In this episode, Dr. Burke discusses the mixed relationship that many people who self-injure have with the scars they bear from NSSI and how some may feel the need to hide their scars even from themselves. Learn more about Dr. Burke and her work by clicking here or visiting the Mood & Behavior Lab (MABL) at www.moodandbehaviorlab.org . Follow her on Twitter @TaylorABurkePhD . Below are some of her publications and papers referenced in this episode: Burke, T. A., Ammerman, B. A., Hamilton, J. L., Stange, J. P., & Piccirillo, M. (2020). Nonsuicidal self-injury scar concealment from the self and others . Journal of Psychiatric Research, 130 , 313-320. Burke, T. A., Olino, T. M., & Alloy, L. B. (2017). Initial psychometric validation of the nonsuicidal self-injury scar cognition scale . Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 39 , 546–562. Burke, T. A., Hamilton, J. L., Cohen, J. N., Stange, J. P., & Alloy, L. B. (2016). Identifying a physical indicator of suicide risk: non-suicidal self-injury scars predict suicidal ideation and suicide attempts . Comprehensive Psychiatry, 65 , 79–87. Bachtelle, S. E., & Pepper, C. M. (2015). The physical results of nonsuicidal self-injury: The meaning behind the scars . The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 203 (12), 927-933. 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 " Best 20 Clinical Psychology Podcasts " and by Welp Magazine in their " 20 Best Injury Podcasts ." Previous Next

Nathan Peterson, LCSW, from OCD and Anxiety Counseling in Allen, Texas, explains the difference between Self-Harm OCD and nonsuicidal self-injury as well as Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for harm OCD. Season 3 | Episode 38 Podcast/ Season 3 | Episode 38 Self-Harm OCD vs. Nonsuicidal Self-Injury Jun 30, 2023 with Nathan Peterson Self-Harm OCD vs. Nonsuicidal Self-Injury with Nathan Peterson 00:00 / 01:04 Approximately 1-4% of people throughout the world experience obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Individuals with OCD are more likely than those without OCD to engage in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), and recent research has shown that, among those who self-injure, having a diagnosis of OCD predicts more severe self-injury. In this episode, licensed clinical social worker and OCD expert Nathan Peterson explains how he differentiates nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) from Self-Harm OCD, which is just one of many subtypes of OCD and one in which a person experiences intrusive thoughts or mental images of violence toward oneself. He then walks us through how he uses Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for Self-Harm OCD in therapy. Learn more about Nathan and his therapy practice OCD and Anxiety Counseling here . He has nearly 100k subscribers on YouTube ( @ocdandanxiety ) where his videos receive thousands and thousands of views. You can also follow him on Instagram ( @ocdandanxietyonline ), Twitter ( @ocdandanxiety1 ), and Facebook . Click here to take his online "Do I Have Harm OCD? Test." Below are additional resources about OCD and/or NSSI: Browning, M. E., Lloyd-Richardson, E. E., Schneider, R. L., Faro, A. L., Muehlenkamp, J. J., & Claudio-Hernandez, A. (2022). Obsessive compulsive disorder and co-occurring nonsuicidal self-injury: Evidence-based treatments and future research directions . The Behavior Therapist, 45(6), 199-208. International OCD Foundation at https://iocdf.org/ . Winston, S. M., & Seif, M. N. ( 2017). Overcoming unwanted intrusive thoughts: A CBT-based guide to getting over frightening, obsessive, or disturbing thoughts . New Harbinger. Baer, L. (2012). Getting control: Overcoming your obsessions and compulsions (3rd ed.) . Plume. To learn more about how medication can help address OCD (most often in tandem with ERP but not discussed in this episode), click here . 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 " 20 Best Clinical Psychology Podcasts " and also featured in Audible's " Best Mental Health Podcasts to Defy Stigma and Begin to Heal ." Previous Next