Addressing Nonsuicidal Self-injury in Schools

The aim of this study is to study the effectiveness of a whole-school approach that addresses non-suicidal self-injury and targets adolescents, parents and teachers. Whether training and interventions can influence NSSI will be examined. Furthermore, investigations will be conducted to examine whether this whole-school approach can reduce symptoms of mental health problems in adolescents, reduce stigma och increase help-seeking and perception of social support. Using a clustered waitlist control design, six lower secondary schools were randomized to either intervention or waitlist during four months (control groups were then given the intervention). Measures of NSSI, suicidality, mental well-being, stigma, attitudes, help-seeking and perceived social support were administered at baseline, after the intervention and at 6, 12 and 18-months follow-up. Two hundred and sixty-seven adolescents in seventh and eight grade participated in the study (135 active group and 132 control group). The interventions were delivered during four months. For adolescents, interventions were delivered in the class room and consisted of five sessions of the Youth Aware of Mental Health (YAM) program and one additional session focusing specifically on knowledge, stigma and attitudes toward NSSI (KRAS). Parents were offered an online psychoeducation on NSSI, as were all school staff during this time period. School health care personnel, nurses, psychologist and counsellors and other school staff, such as teachers' aids, support staff and mentors took part in a 2-day workshop on NSSI and suicidality.