For teens, self-injury may not signal suicide, Ellsworth teachers told
Myths about teenagers who injure themselves were dispelled and signs of the potential for this were presented to Ellsworth high and middle school teachers Wednesday.By: Bill Kirk, Pierce County Herald
Myths about teenagers who injure themselves were dispelled and signs of the potential for this were presented to Ellsworth high and middle school teachers Wednesday.
Although the presentation by guest speaker Jennifer Muehlenkamp, PhD., an assistant professor of psychology at UW-Eau Claire, was directed at educators dealing with students, her message was valuable for parents of teens as well. Muehlenkamp, a licensed clinician specializing in treating suicidal and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI) behavior, has published over 40 research articles and book chapters on the topic, along with on suicide and other related disorders.
Recognized by the American Association of Suicidology and a founding member of the International Study of Self-Injury, Muehlenkamp told the gathering NSSI and suicide are different, yet related. Only in a small percentage of students engaging in NSSI are there also suicidal thoughts.
“Most of them aren’t suicidal,” she said, “for them, it’s about coping with and managing stressors.”
Watch for more in the print version of the Herald.
Tags: lifestyle, health, education
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