Straight to the Source: e-Communities for Nonsuicidal Self-Injury and the Emerging Case for Harm Reduction in the Treatment of Nonsuicidal Self-Injury

Abstract

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a prevalent phenomenon, yet no sufficiently effective treatment approach exists, leading researchers to consider how a reconceptualization of NSSI phenomenology may be necessary to optimize treatment. Multiple novel reconceptualizations seem to converge on the idea that NSSI provides certain benefits (e.g., affect regulation) that lead to nonlinear recovery processes in which cessation is not always possible. NSSI e-communities have also become increasingly studied given their popularity among those who self-injure, and they often contain harm-reduction content (e.g., wound care, safe cutting practices). The United Kingdom has approved harm reduction for NSSI treatment; however, its implementation remains uncommon. The current article integrates these novel and growing lines of research and theory and presents converging evidence for the inclusion of harm reduction in NSSI treatment approaches. Future directions and ethical considerations are discussed.