Safety Planning for High-Risk System Involved Youth: Getting Creative in Limiting Access to Preferred Means

Ashley Maliken, PhD

Training Description

This training will help those that support system involved youth (SIY) think more creatively about limiting access to youth preferred means with regards to non-suicidal self-injurious and suicidal behaviors. It will begin with background information on Non-suicidal Self-injury (NSSI) risk and protective factors for teens and review the literature on reducing access to lethal means. The bulk of the training will involve participant-centered brainstorming on how to limit access to means in various contexts where our youth operate (e.g., at home, in residential placements, at school). There will be an emphasis on safety planning with youth themselves (rather than relying on caregiver or environmental strategies), as well as strategies to enhance a youth’s commitment to engaging with safety plans.

Learning Objectives

· Participants will be able to identify 3 risk factors that contribute to increases in NSSI for system involved teens.

· Participants will learn…