Understanding Self-Injury: A Person-Centered Approach

by Stephen P Lewis, Penelope A. Hasking

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), the purposeful damaging of one's own body tissue without suicidal intent, is a common and serious mental health concern. Engagement in self-injury is associated with numerous mental health difficulties such as major depression. Of particular concern is recent evidence indicating that self-injury is a significant risk factor for suicide. Taken together, understanding self-injury and appropriately responding to people who self-injure is critical.

Developing a compassionate understanding of self-injury requires not only knowledge of current research but also essential insights from individuals with lived experience. Understanding A Person-Centered Approach offers a significant departure from traditional texts in the field by adopting a person-centered, strengths-based approach to understanding and addressing self-injury. In addition to giving a general introduction to self-injury, this book offers practical tips for families and caregivers, schools, clinicians, and advocates who support individuals who self-injure. Importantly, priority is given to topics that individuals with lived experience of self-injury find central to their experiences, such as stigma, social media, resilience, recovery, and advocacy.

This book is a must-read for anyone who interacts with or plays a supportive role in the lives of people who self-injure, including mental health professionals and students, school professionals, families, researchers, and, importantly, individuals with lived experience of self-injury.

218 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 28, 2023

Reviews

[Benedek Dr. Bálint · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am surprised that no one reviewed this book yet. It is very relevant in a deficit-based system, unfolding a view that empowers the individual following their own path. It is also loaded with recent research findings regarding self-injury. The book also points out practical questions and statements that can be used during clinical work.

[Valzietine · Rating 5 out of 5]

As somebody who self-injures, it's accurate and insightful.