School based youth health nurses' views of a program to empower young people on self harm

Margaret McAllister

I will present the interim results of an evaluation of a pilot group program designed for use within High Schools to empower young people on the issue of self-harm. Interviews have been undertaken withSchool Based Youth Health Nurses working within the Sunshine Coast region on the feasibility and utility of the program. These results will be discussed. Self harm is a common youth health problem. Every day on the Sunshine Coast, student and health services are responding to a child who has deliberately selfinjured. Because the person usually does not suffer from a diagnosable mental health problem they are not able to be referred to public health services, and community-based services targeting young people are rare. If young people aren't assisted to understand, self-manage and seek help when they need it, they are at risk for self harm repetition and worsening mental health problems, such as depression or even suicide. Self harm is thus a dynamic risk factor for serious problems. School Based Youth Health Nurses (SBYHNs) are in a prime position to effectively intervene, mitigate the risk and promote healthy self-caring behaviours. Whilst these nurses have a wide scope of practice, and implement many relevant health promotion programs, there are none that focus specifically on self-harm. Thus a pilot program has been developed that draws upon cultivating positive caring behaviours and empowerment in young people so that they not only resist self-harm, but assist their peers to find safer alternatives.In order for the program to fit the needs of the nurses, schools, young people and community it needs to be evaluated and the findings used to improve program utility. Individual semi-structured interviews with school based youth health nurses located within the Sunshine Coast region. Young people are our most precious resource. Responding early to their interpersonal and health concerns promotes their health and well-being for life. Whilst the prevalence of self-harm in the general Australian population is 4- 8 D/o (Steen kamp Et Harrison 2000) in High Schools this figure rises from 10.5 -25 °10 (Hasking et al 2009). Adolescence can be a turbulent time for many young people. A common way they try to deal with tension is through self-harm. Frequently by professional staff they are treated insensitively, disrespectfully or ineffectively. This then puts young people at further risk, their stressors go unaddressed, harmful coping mechanisms continue, and the cycle of stigma and shame continues. Thus, 160/o will selfharm again (RANZCP 2004) and up to 50/o will die by suicide. Suicide prevention is a national priority, as is early intervention. It is imperative that evidence-based programs be trialled and disseminated in schools and communities so that young people can be empowered to deal with their stressors early, and able to access effective help to resolve difficulties when and where they need it.

School based youth health nurses' views of a program to empower young people on self harm

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