Understanding the Experience and Needs of School Counsellors When Working with Young People Who Engage in Self-Harm

Ben Te Maro, Sasha Cuthbert, Mia Sofo, Kahn Tasker, Linda Bowden, Liesje Donkin and Sarah E. Hetrick
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Ben Te Maro: Department of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
Sasha Cuthbert: Department of Psychology, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
Mia Sofo: Department of Psychology, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
Kahn Tasker: Department of Psychology, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
Linda Bowden: Department of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
Liesje Donkin: Department of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
Sarah E. Hetrick: Department of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 23, 1-16

Abstract: Self-harm rates are increasing globally and demand for supporting, treating and managing young people who engage in self-harm often falls to schools. Yet the approach taken by schools varies. This study aimed to explore the experience of school staff managing self-harm, and to obtain their views on the use of guidelines in their work. Twenty-six pastoral care staff from New Zealand were interviewed. Interviews were analyzed and coded using thematic analysis. Three themes emerged: The burden of the role; discrepancies in expectations, training, and experience; and the need for guidelines to support their work. This research, therefore, demonstrated a need for guidelines to support school staff to provide support around decision making and response to self-harm in the school environment.

Keywords: self-harm; suicide; school; guidelines (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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