Risk Assessment, Intervention, and Guidance for First Responders and Medical Settings

Abstract

Abstract Healthcare providers in medical settings often serve as first responders in treating individuals who engage in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI). This chapter highlights the importance of interpersonal style, self-awareness, and how medical professionals can and should screen for NSSI. It then introduces risk assessment models and highlights important questions for first responders to integrate into their interviews with patients to determine next steps in care. This chapter offers sample questions to use in clinical practice and extends these to a discussion about how first responders can effectively intervene, care for wounds, and provide brief, targeted medical advice to those who self-injure. It discusses challenges, recommendations, and future considerations related to NSSI risk assessment research and ends with a discussion about ethical concerns. This chapter considers the perspective of individuals with lived experience of NSSI and encourages first responders to reflect on how their clinical care may be perceived by those who self-injure at all points of the medical encounter. Key takeaways include: