Search Results

Conferences Conferences Our Annual Conference Each year, ISSS hosts their Annual Conference, inviting members and other stakeholders interested in the study of self-injury to meet for two days of sharing, discussion, and collaboration. Find out more about the upcoming conference and past conferences below. 21ST ANNUAL CONFERENCE Stockholm, Sweden JUNE 25-26, 2026 REGISTER NOW Note : Registration will close on Tuesday, 16 June at 12:00 CET. It will still be possible to register after this deadline via emailing ISSS2026@akademikonferens.se ABOUT THE CONFERENCE ABOUT THE PRE-CONFERENCE CLINICAL WORKSHOP ABOUT THE PRE-CONFERENCE CLINICAL WORKSHOP 21st Annual Conference | Stockholm, Sweden More 2026 20th Annual Conference | Wellington, Aotearoa More 2025 19th Annual Conference | Toronto, Canada More 2024 18th Annual Conference | Vienna, Austria More 2023 17th Annual Conference | Online More 2022 16th Annual Conference | Online More 2021 15th Annual Conference | Online More 2020 14th Annual Conference | Orlando, Florida More 2019 13th Annual Conference | Brussels, Belgium More 2018

About Self-Injury Resources /About Self-Injury Facts & figures, information & insights Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI, self-injury) is the deliberate, self-directed damage of body tissue without suicidal intent and for purposes not socially or culturally sanctioned. Self-injury is a complex behaviour that can be difficult to understand. Below, we have compiled a series of fact sheets to build awareness and knowledge of NSSI. What is Self-Injury? There are several key elements to how ISSS defines self-injury... Read more Who Self-Injures and Why? People of all ages, genders, sexualities, ethnicities, and social classes self-injure... Read more What are the Impacts of Self-Injury? Self-injury can have varied short- and long-term impacts... Read more Treatments for Self-Injury Although there is currently no “gold-standard” treatment for self-injury, several treatments show promise... Read more Self-Injury and Suicide The relationship between NSSI and suicide is complex... Read more Recovery and Ambivalence Recovery for self-injury can mean different things to different people... Read more Is NSSI a Disorder? The short answer is no, but it's complicated... Read more Talking About Self-Injury The language we use to talk about people and the behaviours they engage in is powerful... Read more

The Psychology of Self-Injury Podcast / The Psychology of Self-Injury A Podcast Exploring Self-Harm & Mental Health Why do people self-injure? And what is the best way to respond when someone tells us they self-injure? Dr. Nicholas Westers, a clinical psychologist at Children's Health and Associate Professor at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, collaborates with the International Society for the Study of Self-Injury (ISSS) to interview the leading experts in the field of self-injury and self-harm as well as individuals with lived experience of self-injury and parents and family members of those who have self-injured. See the latest episodes below or head to the Podcast Homepage . Latest Episodes Parenting with Lived Experience of Self-Injury with Dr. Janis Whitlock Janis Whitlock, PhD, from Cornell University and Senior Advisor for The JED Foundation explains how caregivers with lived experience of self-injury can navigate conversations with their children about their own history of self-harm, and how parents can manage heightened limits to confidentiality when their child who self-injures turns 18 while in therapy. Listen Now DSM Update: Nonsuicidal Self-Injury Disorder, or a Clinical Specifier? Drs. Greg Lengel, Maria Zetterqvist, Amy Brausch, and Jason Washburn explain why they now advocate for nonsuicidal self-injury and self-harm to be considered a clinical specifier rather than a disorder in the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Listen Now Help-Seeking for Self-Injury with Nani Kim, RN Nani Kim, RN, at the University of Texas at Austin shares a review of research on help-seeking behaviors for self-injury and self-harm. Listen Now Why Do People Self-Injure? Part 2 with Dr. Kirsty Hird Kirsty Hird, PhD, from The Kids Research Institute Australia explains in depth why people self-injure or self-harm according to six specific theoretical models of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI). Listen Now Self-Harm in Older Adults with Dr. Lisa Van Hove Lisa Van Hove, PhD, from Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Brussels University) in Belgium reveals the prevalence and characteristics of self-injury and self-harm among older adults (ages 60+). Listen Now Does Conflict About One’s Gender Role Predict Self-Injury? with Dr. Moye Xin Moye Xin, PhD, from Xi’an University in China shares insights from his research exploring how conflict about one's gender role may increase risk for engaging in nonsuicidal self-injury and self-harm. Listen Now Lived Experience: Ben's Story of Self-Injury Ben from California shares his story of lived experience of self-injury as a man, including how he views recovery and copes with significant scarring from self-harm wounds. Listen Now Self-Injury Awareness Day (March 1) with Drs. Sylvanna Mirichlis & Stephen Lewis Sylvanna Mirichlis, PhD, and Stephen Lewis, PhD, talk all things Self-Injury Awareness Day (SIAD). We also share some of our favorite clips from past episodes for those new to the topic of self-harm. Listen Now Are Therapists Willing to Treat Self-Injury? with Spencer Ellison & Dr. Jennifer Muehlenkamp Spencer Ellison and Jennifer Muehlenkamp, PhD, from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire tell us what they learned when they asked therapists about their willingness to treat individuals who engage in nonsuicidal self-injury or self-harm. Listen Now Paramedical Tattooing for Self-Harm Scars, with Tattoo Artist Elena & Her Client Tattoo artist Elena from Illusions by Ink Studio in Irving, Texas, discusses paramedical tattooing and invites her client with lived experience of self-injury to share her experience with camouflage tattooing of her self-harm scars. Listen Now Lived Experience: Ellie's Story of Atypical Severe Self-Harm Ellie Wildbore from the United Kingdom and National Health Service (NHS) shares her story of lived experience of atypical severe self-injury, her research on self-harm, and her experience as one of the first Lived Experience Research Ambassadors working in NHS mental health. Listen Now Self-Injury Among Ethnically Diverse Populations Dr. Maryam Gholamrezaei 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. Listen Now Effects of Emotions on Self-Injury Pain Perception with Michelle Hiner Michelle Hiner, MS, from Rutgers University in New Jersey breaks down how high and low arousal emotions affect the perception of pain among those who engage in self-injury and self-harm. Listen Now Emotion Regulation Individual Therapy for Adolescents (ERITA) Who Self-Harm with Dr. Johan Bjureberg Johan Bjureberg, Ph.D., from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden walks us through Emotion Regulation Individual Therapy for Adolescents (ERITA) for nonsuicidal self-injury and self-harm. Listen Now Tips for Supporting Those Who Self-Harm with Dr. Nicholas Westers Nicholas J. Westers, Psy.D., ABPP from Children's Health and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas provides practical tips and considerations for supporting individuals who engage in self-injury and self-harm. Listen Now Social Media, Meta, & Self-Injury with Lotte Rubæk Lotte Rubæk, MSc, from Denmark discusses the role of social media among individuals who self-injure as well as why she resigned from her role on Meta's (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp) self-harm global expert panel. Listen Now Self-Criticism as a Predictor of Self-Injury with Christina Robillard Christina Robillard, M.Sc., from the University of Victoria in Canada explains the relationship between self-criticism and self-injury as well as other self-harm behaviors like disordered eating. Listen Now Lived Experience: Thomas' Story of Self-Injury & Gender Dysphoria Thomas from Ontario, Canada shares his story of lived experience of self-injury and gender dysphoria, including how self-harm evolved for him over time as a transgender man. Listen Now Do Youth Self-Injure More Now Than 15 Years Ago? with Dr. Jonas Bjärehed Jonas Bjärehed, PhD, from Lund University in Sweden compares rates of self-injury and self-harm among youth from 2007 to 2023. Listen Now Supporting Siblings of Individuals Who Self-Harm with Dr. Amy Lucas Amy Lucas, PhD, from Speek Health in the United Kingdom talks about how we can support siblings of those who self-injure and self-harm. Listen Now DSM-5 & Nonsuicidal Self-Injury Disorder with Dr. Greg Lengel Greg Lengel, PhD, from Drake University in Iowa walks us through self-harm in the DSM-5 and the six criteria for the proposed diagnosis of Nonsuicidal Self-Injury Disorder. Listen Now How Should Self-Harm Be Defined? with Drs. Brooke Ammerman & Greg Lengel Brooke Ammerman, PhD, and Greg Lengel, PhD, define nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) and self-harm. Listen Now Where Does Self-Injury Fit Within Self-Damaging Behaviors? with Dr. Brianna Turner Brianna Turner, PhD, from the University of Victoria in Canada explains why the boundaries between various forms of self-harm and self-injury may be less clear than implied by research and definitions. Listen Now Lived Experience: Allison's Story of Self-Injury & Scarring Allison from Washington State shares her story of lived experience of self-injury, scarring, and shame as well as how she makes sense of her self-harm scars in the context of her faith. Listen Now Self-Injury in Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (IDD) with Caroline Roberts 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). Listen Now The Psychology of Self-Injury Pain with Dr. Julien Koenig Julian Koenig, Dr. sc. hum. (PhD), from the University of Cologne in Germany discusses the psychology of pain in self-injury and self-harm. Listen Now Youth Crisis, Self-Harm, & Mental Health Language with Drs. Rachel Acheson & Maria Papadima Rachel Acheson, PhD, and Maria Papadima, PhD, from the Association of Child Psychotherapists in London describe how today's "adolescent crisis," including self-injury and self-harm, is often expressed through mental health language. Listen Now Self-Harm OCD vs. Nonsuicidal Self-Injury with Nathan Peterson 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. Listen Now A Dad & Daughter Discuss Her Lived Experience of Self-Harm Together, a dad and his young adult daughter share their story of her self-injury and self-harm. Listen Now Self-Injury Recovery: A Person-Centered Approach with Drs. Stephen Lewis & Penny Hacking Stephen Lewis, PhD, & Penelope Hasking, PhD, introduce a new way of thinking about self-injury, self-harm, and recovery. Listen Now The Neurobiology of Self-Injury (in Layman's Terms) with Dr. Michael Kaess Michael Kaess, MD, from the University of Bern in Switzerland explains the neurobiology of self-injury and self-harm. Listen Now Emotion Regulation Group Therapy for Self-Harm with Dr. Kim Gratz and Dr. Matthew Tull Kim Gratz, PhD, and Matthew Tull, PhD, from the University of Toledo walk us through Emotion Regulation Group Therapy (ERGT) intervention for nonsuicidal self-injury and self-harm. Listen Now Did Self-Injury Increase During the COVID-19 Lockdown? with Dr. Ruth Tatnell Ruth Tatnell, PhD, from Deakin University in Melbourne, Australia describes how the COVID-19 pandemic and first lockdown affected rates of self-injury and self-harm. Listen Now The Evolution of Self-Injury Treatment with Dr. Wendy Lader Wendy Lader, PhD, author of "Bodily Harm: the Breakthrough Healing Program for Self-Injurers" and Co-Founder and retired Clinical Director of the S.A.F.E. Alternatives Program in St. Louis, MO, describes how the treatment for self-injury and self-harm has evolved over the years. Listen Now The Psychology of Self-Injury Scarring with Dr. Taylor Burke Taylor Burke, PhD, from Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital discusses the psychological effects of scars resulting from self-injury and self-harm. Listen Now Lived Experience: Kirsty's Story of Self-Injury & Advocacy 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. Listen Now Digital Interventions for Self-Harm with Dr. Kaylee Kruzan Kaylee Kruzan, PhD, from Northwestern University in Chicago shares about digital apps and online interventions for self-injury and self-harm. Listen Now Self-Injury Under Age 12 with Dr. Imke Baetens & Lisa Van Hove Imke Baetens, PhD, from Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Brussels University) in Belgium and PhD student Lisa Van Hove discuss the prevalence and characteristics of self-injury and self-harm among children under age 12. Listen Now Self-Injury Over Age 40 with Dr. Sarah Swannell Sarah Swannell, PhD, a psychologist in private practice in Australia and Lecturer at the University of Queensland discusses the prevalence and characteristics of self-injury and self-harm among individuals over age 40. Listen Now Self-Injury in Film: "PERFECTION" the Movie with Actor & Director Christina Beck 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. Listen Now Self-Injury Location: Visible vs Concealed with Dr. Kathryn Gardner Kathryn Gardner, PhD, from the University of Central Lancashire in the United Kingdom discusses the significance of where on the body individuals choose to engage in self-cutting behavior and the psychology of self-injury and self-harm location. Listen Now Self-Harm Across Cultures, with Dr. Marc Wilson with Dr. Marc Wilson Marc Wilson, PhD, from Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand shares about cross-cultural representations of self-injury and self-harm. Listen Now Single-Session Intervention for Self-Harm with Mallory Dobias Mallory Dobias, MA, from Stony Brook University describes Project SAVE, an online, single-session intervention for nonsuicidal self-injury and self-harm. Listen Now Eating Disorders & Self-Harm with Dr. Katie Gordon Kathryn Gordon, PhD, from Fargo, North Dakota discusses the relationship between disordered eating and self-harm, how often they co-occur, why they co-occur, and physical pain sensitivity amidst eating disorder behavior and self-injury. Listen Now Lived Experience: Brittany's Story of Self-Injury & Faith Brittany from Texas shares her story of lived experience of self-injury and self-harm and how her faith has helped her navigate both positive and negative reactions from religious leaders. Listen Now Self-Injury in Schools with Dr. Nancy Heath Nancy Heath, PhD, from McGill University in Canada explains how schools can respond appropriately to students who engage in self-injury and self-harm. Listen Now Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for Self-Harm with Dr. Jenny Hughes Jennifer Hughes, PhD, MPH, from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, describes Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) as an intervention for nonsuicidal self-injury and self-harm. Listen Now Navigating Self-Injury During Routine Doctor Visits with Brittany Tinsley Brittany Tinsley of @brittanytinsleywrites Instagram explains how she navigates talking about her wounds and scars of self-injury and self-harm with her medical providers during routine doctor visits. Listen Now Self-Injury in Japanese Manga with Dr. Yukari Seko Yukari Seko, PhD, from Ryerson University in Canada describes how self-injury is depicted in various genres of Japanese manga and how graphic novels like manga can be utilized for good in understanding and treating self-injury and self-harm. Listen Now If Your Child is in Therapy for Self-Injury with Dr. Jessica Garisch Jessica Garisch, PhD, from Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand, gives a sneak peek into how she addresses self-injury and self-harm in therapy sessions with youth and their parents. Listen Now Self-Injury Among LGBTQ Individuals with Dr. Lindsay Taliaferro Lindsay Taliaferro, PhD, from the University of Central Florida discusses the prevalence of self-injury among individuals who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning (LGBTQ); common risk and protective factors; and the intersectionality of race, sexual minority status, and gender diversity among those who self-injure and self-harm. Listen Now Managing Self-Injury in Inpatient Settings with Dr. Jason Washburn Jason Washburn, PhD, ABPP, from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine explains how self-injury and self-harm can effectively and compassionately be managed in inpatient settings. Listen Now Lived Experience of Self-Injury & Stigma: Lexy's Story Lexy from Australia shares her story of lived experience of self-injury and stigma and how it has influenced her work in researching self-injury and self-harm. Listen Now Atypical Severe Self-Injury with Dr. Barry Walsh Barent Walsh, PhD, author of "Treating Self-Injury: A Practical Guide" and Executive Director Emeritus and Senior Clinical Consultant at Open Sky Community Services in Worcester, MA, describes the forms, functions, and treatment of atypical, severe self-injury and self-harm. Listen Now Monitoring Self-Injury in Real Time with Dr. Glenn Kiekens Glenn Kiekens, PhD, from KU Leuven University in Belgium discusses how researchers measure self-injury and self-harm in real time using advances in technology. Listen Now Treatment for Self-Injurious Behaviors (T-SIB) with Dr. Peggy Andover Peggy Andover, PhD, from Fordham University talks us through the Treatment for Self-Injurious Behaviors (T-SIB) intervention for nonsuicidal self-injury and self-harm. Listen Now Psychologists with Lived Experience of Self-Injury with Dr. Sarah Victor Sarah Victor, PhD, from Texas Tech University discusses the prevalence of self-injury among psychologists and psychology graduate students, how psychologists with and without lived experience of self-injury can appropriately provide therapy to clients and supervision to trainees with a history of self-injury, and how individuals with lived experience of self-injury can be involved in teaching and research on self-injury and self-harm. Listen Now Lived Experience of Self-Injury: Malika's Story Malika, creator of Selfharmerproblems YouTube and Instagram pages, shares her story of lived experience of self-injury and self-harm. Listen Now Disclosures of Self-Injury with Dr. Brooke Ammerman Brooke Ammerman, PhD, from the University of Notre Dame provides insight into how individuals who self-injure come to decide to disclose their self-injury and self-harm and suggests helpful ways to respond to self-injury disclosures. Listen Now A Mother's Perspective of Her Daughter's Self-Injury A mother shares her experience of when she learned about her daughter's self-injury and self-harm and how she responded as a parent. Listen Now Self-Injury and the Internet with Dr. Stephen Lewis Stephen Lewis, PhD, from the University of Guelph in Canada and Immediate Past President of the International Society for the Study of Self-Injury (ISSS) discusses the state of health information about self-injury on the internet and addresses the risks and benefits of seeking self-injury and self-harm content online. Listen Now Self-Injury Stigma and Language with Dr. Penelope Hasking Penelope Hasking, PhD, from Curtin University in Australia and current President of the International Society for the Study of Self-Injury (ISSS) discusses how the words we use to describe self-injury and those who engage in the behavior may either foster empathy and help-seeking or further stigmatize those who self-injure and self-harm. Listen Now Parenting Youth Who Self-Injure with Dr. Janis Whitlock Janis Whitlock, PhD, from Cornell University and Senior Advisor for The JED Foundation explains what parents and caregivers should look for if they suspect their child is engaging in self-injury. She also discusses how caregivers can effectively talk to their child about self-injury and self-harm and when to seek therapy. Listen Now Nonsuicidal Self-Injury vs. Suicide with Dr. Jennifer Muehlenkamp Jennifer Muehlenkamp, PhD, from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire describes the difference between suicidal and nonsuicidal self-harm and explains how we came to use the term “nonsuicidal self-injury” (NSSI). She also discusses what characteristics of self-injury place someone at greater risk for attempting suicide. Listen Now Why Do People Self-Injure? with Dr. Nicholas Westers Why do people self-injure or self-harm? Especially when it seems to contradict our instinct for self-preservation? The simple answer is that for the majority of those who engage in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), it helps them to feel better; it’s a coping strategy. But of course, the answer is often more complex than that. Listen Now

2023 - 2024 Home / Collaborative Research Program / 2023 Current Projects The 2023-24 cycle of the ISSS Collaborative Research Program (CRP) is now closed. Thanks to those who applied! Applications Closed Cognitive and emotional flexibility in youth with NSSI Mentored by: Tina In-Albon More Peer responses to self-injury Mentored by: Imke Baetens More Examining predictors of co-occurrence of NSSI with other potentially harmful coping behaviours Mentored by: Briana Turner More Understanding NSSI recovery Mentored by: Penny Hasking & Stephen Lewis More Meta-analysis examining co-occurrence of NSSI with “externalizing” behaviours and disorders Mentored by: Briana Turner More

Research on Self-Injury in Daily Life Home / Special Interest Groups / Research on Self-Injury in Daily Life / Member Spotlights Membership Spotlights Explanation of Membership Spotlight. Previous Spotlights Find our previous spotlights below! Read More Dr Glenn Kiekens Two paragraph summary Read More

ISSS Rising Stars About /Awards / ISSS Rising Stars Recognizing Potential ISSS Rising Stars are dedicated early-career researchers, clinicians, or advocates whose work demonstrates potential and commitment to make a significant contribution to the field and to the lives of people with lived experience. 2026 Rising Star TBD This year's ISSS Rising Star will be announced soon! NOMINATE A 2026 ISSS RISING STAR Rising Stars of ISSS 2025 Dr. Kealagh Robinson Dr. Robinson is a Senior Lecturer at Massey's School of Psychology (Aotearoa, New Zealand). She is also a collaborator with the Checking on Mental Health Providing Alternatives to Suicide (COMPAS) program. 2024 Dr. Taylor Burke Dr. Burke is an Assistant Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital (United States). She also co-leads the Mood and Behavior Lab (MABL) at Harvard Medical School. 2023 Dr. Kathryn Fox Dr. Fox is an Assistant Professor in the clinical child psychology Ph.D. Program at the University of Denver, where she also directs the Fox Lab in the Department of Psychology. 2022 Dr. Glenn Kiekens Dr. Kiekens is as an Assistant Professor in Clinical Psychology at Tilburg University (Netherlands) and Senior Research Fellow at KU Leuven (Belgium). 2021 Dr. Sarah Victor Dr. Victor is a clinical psychologist and Assistant Professor at Texas Tech University (United States) where she leads the Tracking Risk Over Time Lab (TRTL). 2020 Dr. Brooke Ammerman Dr. Ammerman is a Professor at the University of Notre Dame (United States) where she is Director of the Affect, Suicide, Self-Injury, and Social Triggers (ASSIST) Lab and Co-Director of the Notre Dame Suicide Prevention Initiative.

About Self-Injury Recovery and Ambivalence Resources / About Self-Injury / Recovery and Ambivalence "A non-linear push and pull" Recovery Recovery for self-injury can mean different things to different people. In recent years, there has been a greater focus both academically and clinically on the lived experience of self-injury. Part of this focus has drawn attention to the varied conceptualisations of recovery. Clinical conceptualisations According to the proposed diagnostic criteria for non-suicidal self-injury disorder (NSSI-D), an individual may be considered "recovered" after self-injury has been ceased for 12 months. As identified by Lewis and Hasking (2020), this may be unrealistic and does not reflect individuals' lived experience of recovery. Lived experience conceptualisations Not surprisingly, individuals' conceptualisations of NSSI recovery are vast and varied. Theoretical conceptualisations Recent developments in the research field have led to new theoretical conceptualisations of NSSI recovery, including that proposed by Lewis and Hasking (2021). Sourced from Lewis & Hasking (2021) In their framework, Lewis and Hasking capture the following in their person-centred model of self-injury recovery: Emphasis realistic expectations Recovery is non-linear and "relapses" are common Viewing recovery in absolute terms may be unrealistic and unhelpful Normalise thoughts and urges Continued thoughts about self-injury and urges to self-injure are common. These thoughts and urges may persist indefinitely Foster self-efficacy Recognition of times when urges have been overcome can strengthen self-efficacy to resist NSSI in the future Identify strengths Identifying and leveraging strengths can foster self-efficacy and support other coping strategies Find alternatives Finding strategies as effective as NSSI takes time and involves trial and error There is no one-size-fits all, and alternative strategies that work for one individual may not work for another Address underlying adversities There are many possible difficulties and adversities underlying self-injury; these need to be addressed to support NSSI recovery Address and accept scarring While not relevant to all individuals, scarring can be a significant concern Scarring may contribute to ongoing psychological distress/urges, but can also represent strength and resilience For individuals with scars, accepting scarring may be particularly important in their recovery Prepare for navigating disclosures Disclosure may be voluntary, unwanted, or unintentional Disclosure may be necessary to recovery (accessing support) Considering how to navigate these disclosures may be useful for recovery Foster self-acceptance Through the above, self-acceptance can be fostered Ambivalence Understanding ambivalence around self-injury and recovery is important for individuals who self-injure and their loved ones. References Lewis, L. P., & Hasking, P. A. (2020). Rethinking self-injury recovery: A comentary and conceptual reframing, BJ Psych Bulletin , 44 , 44-46. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjb.2019.51 Lewis, S. P., & Hasking, P. A. (2021). Self-injury recovery: A person-centred framework. Journal of Clinical Psychology , 77 , 884-895. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.23094

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

Sylvanna Mirichlis, PhD, and Stephen Lewis, PhD, talk all things Self-Injury Awareness Day (SIAD). We also share some of our favorite clips from past episodes for those new to the topic of self-harm. Season 5 | Episode 58 Podcast/ Season 5 | Episode 58 Self-Injury Awareness Day (March 1) Feb 28, 2025 with Drs. Sylvanna Mirichlis & Stephen Lewis Self-Injury Awareness Day (March 1) with Drs. Sylvanna Mirichlis & Stephen Lewis 00:00 / 01:04 In this episode, Dr. Sylvanna Mirichlis from Curtin University in Perth, Australia, and ISSS Past President Dr. Stephen Lewis from the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada share about the origins of the annual March 1st Self-Injury Awareness Day (SIAD), what people around the world are doing as part of this day, and what our ISSS Stigma, Recovery, and Lived Experience Special Interest Group is doing to boost awareness of self-injury. We also share some of our favorite clips from past episodes. Self-Injury Resources: International Society for the Study of Self-Injury (ISSS) ( https://itriples.org/ Self-injury Outreach & Support (SiOS) ( http://sioutreach.org/ ) Cornell's Self-Injury & Recovery Resources (SIRR) ( www.selfinjury.bctr.cornell.edu ) Shedding Light on Self-Injury ( https://www.self-injury.org.au/ ) Lewis, S. P., & Hasking, P. A. (2023). Understanding self-injury: A person-centered approach . Oxford University Press. To watch Dr. Lewis' TEDx talk about his own lived experience of self-injury on YouTube, visit https://youtu.be/G17iMOw0ar8 . Timestamps for clips from past episodes: 37:37 - Lived experience: Kirsty's story of self-injury & advocacy (Season 2, Episode 30) 43:41 - Psychologists with lived experience of self-injury, with Dr. Sarah Victor (Season 1, Episode 9) 45:25 - Self-injury stigma and language, with Dr. Penelope Hasking (Season 1, Episode 4) 48:26 - Lived experience: Thomas' story of self-injury & gender dysphoria (Season 4, Episode 48) 52:48 - Self-harm across cultures, with Dr. Marc Wilson (Season 2, Episode 24) 56:39 - The psychology of self-injury scarring, with Dr. Taylor Burke (Season 2, Episode 31) 1:01:52 - A dad & daughter discuss her lived experience of self-harm (Season 3, Episode 37) 1:15:15 - Parenting youth who self-injure, with Dr. Janis Whitlock (Season 1, Episode 3) 1:23:49 - Supporting siblings of individuals who self-harm, with Dr. Amy Lucas (Season 4, Episode 46) Previous Next

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

Online 2022 Conferences / 17th Annual Conference | Online 22nd - 24th June, 2022 In 2022, we hosted our 17th 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 2022, we hosted our 17th Annual International Conference online. The conference was packed with inspiring, compelling, and interesting talks from global experts in the field. Program ISSS 2022 Conference Program .pdf Download PDF • 160KB Abstract Book ISSS 2022 Conference Abstract Book .pdf Download PDF • 1.58MB Presentation Slides Invited Fellow ISSS 2022 Conference Invited Fellow Presentation - JW .pdf Download PDF • 10.96MB