First paper from SASH Research Project

After a long break, a couple of updates on the SASH Research Project. Although the project finished officially in 2014, I have continued to work with the data from the interviews, group discussions and survey responses.

The first full-length paper based on findings from the SASH Research Project has been published online in YOUNG: The Nordic Journal of Youth Research. You can see a summary online here.

Anyone who would like to see a copy of the paper can email me (a[dot]chandler[at]ed.ac.uk).

Findings from the project are also featured in a book, which was published last year.

Recent presentations of SASH findings

Last month I did a ‘webinar’ (or online seminar) for WithScotland, to share some of the findings from the SASH project. People who listened in at the time were mainly practitioners, working directly with young people who have self-harmed: in clinical practice, in prisons, and as social workers. It was a great opportunity, and shows that among many practitioners there is a real desire to listen to young people, and try to understand self-harm from their perspective.

If you are interested, you can listen (and watch) the presentation here:

http://listenagain.stir.ac.uk/media/keep/withscotland/listenagain.php

You may have to scroll down the box on the right hand side to find the right file.

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I also gave a similar talk to a self-harm awareness meeting in co-hosted by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and East Dunbartonshire council. Slides for the event can be found here: GGC Self-harm event talk_Chandler:

It is really great to see so much activity around increasing awareness and understanding about self-harm in Scotland; and especially good to be able to include young people’s accounts in the conversation.

Talking and writing about self-harm

Really enjoyed giving an online seminar for WithScotland this week. The slides from the talk can be accessed here: talking and writing about self-harm 21-04-15.

I’m writing up some of the findings on ‘attention-seeking’ – an ever contentious topic – for publication.

I will also be talking next week at an NHS Self-Harm Awareness event being held in East Dunbartonshire next week; sharing a programme with the On Edge folk again (they joined the launch event for the SASH Research Project).

On Edge is a really comprehensive pack for teachers with lesson plans and material to help support teachers to address self-harm in a series of dedicated classes. Given that young people in the SASH Research Project often highlighted how little self-harm was talked about in schools, this is a very positive development.

Upcoming talk: online!

Booking is now open for an online ‘webinar’ I’m doing for WithScotland

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/talking-and-writing-about-self-harm-analysing-the-accounts-of-young-people-aged-13-16-tickets-15350316209

I’ll be presenting more of the findings from the SASH Research Project.

I’ve also started work on a couple of papers for academic journals, so this talk – and the one in Glasgow on 25th – will be a really good opportunity to share some ideas.

Upcoming talk – Glasgow

I’m giving a talk next month where I’ll be sharing some more findings from the SASH Research Project. The talk will be focusing on what those aged 16 and under said and wrote about self-harm, exploring three themes: emotions, addiction and bodies.

Glasgow Caledonian University on 25th February 2015, see flyer below. This seminar is free to attend, though you do need to book:

‘Emotions, addiction and bodies: exploring accounts of self-harm among young people aged 13-16′

Initial Findings: Self-harm, drug and alcohol use

Here is the link to the initial findings on self-harm, drug and alcohol use:

SASH – alcohol and drugs preliminary findings

Project findings and film = launched!

The launch event Friday went really well – lots of people from far and wide came to hear some of the findings from the project, see the SASHA film, as well as find out about other work going on in Scotland around young people, self-harm, alcohol and drug use.

Three leaflets were circulated, two of which are now freely available online and can be accessed here:

http://www.crfr.ac.uk/assets/SASHwebbriefing.pdf

http://www.crfr.ac.uk/assets/SASHypbriefingweb.pdf

Another leaflet covered findings around alcohol and drug use, and I’ll post that here ASAP.

The SASHA film can be seen on CRFR’s youtube channel:

It is also embedded here.

The film was made by Yasmin, based on some of the findings from the project.

One week to go! Launch of findings and animated film – 31st October

Just one week to go before the launch event which will see the premier of the animated film, based on the findings and made by Yasmin, with support from Jim Stirk of Red Kite Animation Workshops (and now of Animation Jam). Also featuring will be three briefings summarising some of the key findings from the research.

As well as a talk about the findings, Lisa Aitken from Choose Life Renfrewshire will be talking about an educational package about self-harm; and Angela Voulgari from Penumbra will talk about her work with young people who self-harm.

There will be stalls from a number of organisations: Health Opportunities Team, Crew 2000, Penumbra, Circle, Minds Well and Choose Life.

We have 100 people signed up to come along, and a waiting list. Very exciting and I’m really looking forward to sharing the findings, as well as hearing from the other speakers and delegates about their experiences and work.

All of the briefings and the film will be available for free, online, after the 31st. Links to these will of course be on this site and blog also.

Upcoming events featuring the SASH Research Project

Two events coming up featuring findings from the SASH Research Project.

31st October is the launch of the project findings, and the animated film, made by the wonderful Yasmin. The event sold out within a fortnight (100 tickets!) – really looking forward to sharing some of the findings with everyone.

Also speaking at the launch are Angela Voulgari from Penumbra, and Lisa Aitken, Choose Life Renfrewshire.

I’ve been putting the finishing touches to two publications – one a short leaflet which covers some of the headline findings; and another longer briefing which has a lot more detail. These will be published on the 31st and available for all who attend. There will also be extra copies available, and both will be online as well.

24th November is another event where I’ll be talking about some of the findings. This event is aimed at policy-makers and researchers. Also speaking is Naomi Salisbury, of Self-Injury Support (formerly Bristol Crisis Service for Women). The title of my talk is ‘Secrets and Lies: The challenges of ‘just talking to someone’ about self-harm for young people aged 16 and under’.

Registration open for launch event – 31st October

Registration is now open for the launch event on 31st October, 2-5pm at the University of Edinburgh.

Places are limited, so registration is essential.

All welcome, and the event is totally free!

See flyer below for further details, or the click here for link to the eventbrite page where you can register to attend.

SASH flyer – event 31-10-14