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Topic: Self-Mutilation Behavior in Youth and Adults

Place: Affinia Hotel, Manhattan, NY

Date: Thursday, June 22, 2006

Time: 7:30am – 3:30pm

Presented by: Joseph Shannon, PhD

Some thoughts about the self-mutilation conference:

While I have been aware of some of the ways female self-mutilators engage in harming themselves, I was shocked and saddened to learn how males, especially teenage boys, hurt themselves and to the extent that they do so. As much as it is difficult to counsel teenagers, it is almost impossible to counsel teenage boys, especially as a female therapist. My heart ached when I learned of the ways they cry out their pain.

Dr. Shannon provided an excellent overview of the issues involved when treating patients who harm themselves. The case studies he gave were captivating as well as enlightening. While the logistics of each vignette differed, the underlying requirement for successful treatment seemed to be genuine compassion for the patient and a skillful mobilization of the multi-disciplinary treatment system. I was interested in Dr. Shannon's observation that among all of the self-mutilators he has treated, he often comes to the conclusion that these people seem to have a void in their heart that they try to fulfill but can't. I almost said "Isn't that right?" When one is lost and away from God who is the source of our comfort and reassurance, the pain of this world can be devastating and unending.Dr. Shannon may have been restricted from going further in terms of sharing how he addresses this void due to the parameters of the conference; the fact that he shared his observation sheds light on a hopeful direction.

In Him,

Careen Chang L.C.S.W.