Table of Contents

Introduction; 1. Self-injury essentials: understanding before intervention; 2. Embodying distress: the functions of self-injury; 3. The inner world: what is it like being you?; 4. A social model: context is everything; 5. Responding helpfully: embodied and social interventions; 6. Staying safe: harm-reduction; 7. Policy: making best practice happen; 8. Going the distance: a case study of Zest (Northern Ireland); Appendices: Policy examples and learning exercises

About the Author

Dr Kay Inckle is a course convener in the sociology of health and medicine at the London School of Economics and Political Science. She worked as a service provider in a range of health and social care contexts, supporting both adults and young people. From 2009-2012 she ran a self-injury training service delivering programmes based on a holistic and harm-reduction approach to self-injury. She has published widely in the field, including her previous book Flesh Wounds? New Ways of Understanding Self-Injury (PCCS Books, 2010).

Reviews

'This book is an excellent contemporary account of self-injury and approaches to supporting people who self-injure. The book will be an invaluable resource for anyone working in the field.' Hilary Lindsay, Director, Self-injury Support, Bristol; 'This is an immensely useful text that carefully combines sociological insights with practical advice on responding well to self-injury. The book provides a broad basis through which to develop a deeper understanding of the meanings self-injury has for diverse social groups, before going on to chart the similarly diverse ways that people who hurt themselves can be supported - or support themselves. Grounded in principles of social justice, this is a thoroughly refreshing guide that will be of use to anyone who encounters self-injury in their personal or professional lives.' Dr Amy Chandler, Chancellor's Fellow in Health, University of Edinburgh