Specialised treatments and prevention packages for self-harm
In Flanders, 15% of young people deliberately harm themselves. Often, these young people have nowhere to turn for outpatient treatment. Prof. Imke Baetens wants to do something about that deficit and has developed two specialised outpatient treatments for young people and their parents.
At least as important is preventing self-harm to begin with. A general prevention package makes young people aware of their feelings and gives them tips and exercises to help them feel better about themselves. For young people who need it, there is also a specific programme related to self-harm.
Self-harm is an important precursor to suicidality
Of all the young people who deliberately harm themselves, only 1 in 3 parents are aware of this. Self-harm is an important precursor to suicidality. Additionally, the risk of developing serious psychological problems is very high in these teenagers. Early special treatment of self-harm is indispensable. But often these young people have nowhere to turn and end up in psychiatry.
Fast forward to:
Adapted outpatient treatment
As part of an inter-university study, Imke motivated 40 licensed psychotherapists to participate in a training course in the use of monitoring as an intervention technique applied to self-harm and suicidality.
Monitoring via the QITonline platform
- During ongoing therapies: monitoring ensures that a close eye is kept on processes in ongoing therapies through a systematic request for feedback from the young people undergoing treatment. Therapists can use this feedback to track therapy progress and stagnation, and set it back on course where necessary.
- After therapy: as the self-harm decreases, young people sometimes develop serious suicidal behaviour or eating problems. Through monitoring, therapists keep their finger on the pulse and can optimally attune their strategy to the needs, requirements, and expectations of young people.
Adapted outpatient contributes to:
- a significant decrease in frequency and severity of deliberate self-injurious behaviour
- an increase in the general well-being of the young person
- a significant decrease in psychopathological and depressive symptoms
Prevention
Social media increase the risk of stimulation and increase in self-harm. The causes are manifold: trauma, bullying, or puberty, making life very difficult emotionally for young people.
Since October 2016, VUB has been working on prevention in schools.
The general Happyles prevention package
This package is offered free of charge during regular class hours. Its aim is to make young people feel better about themselves and tackle the problem at its source. They receive relevant tips and exercises.
An extra module on self-harm
This module strives to clarify the dangers of self-harm and the importance of discussing it with parents. The module is made available to a number of students, the selection is based on screening.
