Advocate BroMenn Delegate Church Association Delegate Church Health Tips Delegate Executive Committee Chair The Rev Elyse Nelson-Winger University Chaplain, Illinois Wesleyan University Past Chair The Rev Jane Roeschley Mennonite Church of Normal Members at Large Mrs Ruth Nicewonger United Church of Heyworth The Rev Grant Armstrong Calvary United Methodist Church Mrs Alice Raber, FCN Prairieview Mennonite Church e e e•f f f Advocate BroMenn Mission & Spiritual Care PO Box 2850 Bloomington, IL 61702-2850 The Rev Chereé Johnson Coordinator for Church Relations 309.268.3504 cheree.johnson@advocatehealth.com All or portions of this publication may be copied or reused without permission, but with acknowledgement of the source October 2012 “Help Me, Because I Can’t Help Myself” Youth and Self-Injurious Behaviors Sophia was a 16-year-old girl who recently broke up with her boyfriend She presented to the emergency room with several cuts on her forearm from a razor blade Sophia denied any suicidal intention and stated “I cut myself because it made me feel better,” Extensive psychiatrist assessment at the ER failed to provide enough evidence for any major psychiatric illness This is a common scenario in emergency rooms and reflects the complexity of this issue Recent community studies have found that one-third to one-half of adolescents in the US have engaged in some type of non-suicidal self injury There are several documented psychological factors involved in development of such behaviors including, control over one’s body and emotions, self expression or communication and often time self punishment In most studies, teens have reported that self injury has helped to release tension or stress These teens commonly have a dysfunctional family system, or have suffered abuse and maltreatment Poor impulse control is usually a rule rather than exception in these cases Some of the challenges in care for these teens include having intensely private and shameful feelings towards the act Care providers should avoid displays of shock, shaming, or showing great pity The goal of treatment is to help teens identify the underlying cause of their pain and help them develop alternative coping and communication skills that will build their self-esteem and create a sense of connectedness These teens usually require comprehensive treatment plans in which schools, parents, medical practitioners, church leaders and other youth serving professionals, all play a role Children are our future and we need to understand their difficulties Simply labeling them as attention seeking won’t work A non judgmental developmentally appropriate approach can make a big difference in their lives By: Dr Faisal Ahmed, Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist, Advocate Medical Group “…You know, my lord, that the children are tender and delicate and need gentle care ” Genesis 33:13 (AMP) Children are our future and we need to understand their difficulties Simply labeling them as attention seeking won’t work A non judgmental developmentally appropriate approach can make a big difference in their lives These teens usually require comprehensive treatment plans in which schools, parents, medical practitioners, church leaders and other youth serving professionals, all play a role 309.268.3504 cherre.johnson@advocatehealh.com PO Box 2850, Bloomington, IL 61702-2850 Rev Chereé Johnson Coordinator for Church Relations Mission & Spiritual Care October 2012 “…You know, my lord, that the children are tender and delicate and need gentle care ” Genesis 33:13 (AMP) Some of the challenges in care for these teens include having intensely private and shameful feelings towards By: Dr Faisal Ahmed, Child & Adolescent the act Care providers should avoid Psychiatrist, Advocate Medical Group displays of shock, shaming, or showing great pity These teens commonly have a dysfunctional family system, or have suffered abuse and maltreatment Poor impulse control is usually a rule rather than exception in these cases There are several documented psychological factors involved in development of such behaviors including, control over one’s body and emotions, self expression or communication and often time self punishment In most studies, teens have reported that self injury has helped to release tension or stress Children are our future and we need to understand their difficulties Simply labeling them as attention seeking won’t work A non judgmental developmentally appropriate approach can make a big difference in their lives These teens usually require comprehensive treatment plans in which schools, parents, medical practitioners, church leaders and other youth serving professionals, all play a role The goal of treatment is to help teens identify the underlying cause of their pain and help them develop alternative coping and communication skills that will build their self-esteem and create a sense of connectedness 309.268.3504 cherre.johnson@advocatehealh.com PO Box 2850, Bloomington, IL 61702-2850 Rev Chereé Johnson Coordinator for Church Relations Mission & Spiritual Care October 2012 “…You know, my lord, that the children are tender and delicate and need gentle care ” Genesis 33:13 (AMP) Some of the challenges in care for these teens include having intensely private and shameful feelings towards By: Dr Faisal Ahmed, Child & Adolescent the act Care providers should avoid Psychiatrist, Advocate Medical Group displays of shock, shaming, or showing great pity These teens commonly have a dysfunctional family system, or have suffered abuse and maltreatment Poor impulse control is usually a rule rather than exception in these cases There are several documented psychological factors involved in development of such behaviors including, control over one’s body and emotions, self expression or communication and often time self punishment In most studies, teens have reported that self injury has helped to release tension or stress This is a common scenario in emergency rooms and reflects the complexity of this issue Recent community studies have found that one-third to one-half of adolescents in the US have engaged in some type of non-suicidal self injury This is a common scenario in emergency rooms and reflects the complexity of this issue Recent community studies have found that one-third to one-half of adolescents in the US have engaged in some type of non-suicidal self injury The goal of treatment is to help teens identify the underlying cause of their pain and help them develop alternative coping and communication skills that will build their self-esteem and create a sense of connectedness Sophia was a 16-year-old girl who recently broke up with her boyfriend She presented to the emergency room with several cuts on her forearm from a razor blade Sophia denied any suicidal intention and stated “I cut myself because it made me feel better,” Extensive psychiatrist assessment at the ER failed to provide enough evidence for any major psychiatric illness “Help Me, Because I Can’t Help Myself” Youth and Self-Injurious Behaviors Sophia was a 16-year-old girl who recently broke up with her boyfriend She presented to the emergency room with several cuts on her forearm from a razor blade Sophia denied any suicidal intention and stated “I cut myself because it made me feel better,” Extensive psychiatrist assessment at the ER failed to provide enough evidence for any major psychiatric illness “Help Me, Because I Can’t Help Myself” Youth and Self-Injurious Behaviors