Caregiver Workshop for Youth Self-Harm

This trial tests a workshop designed to assist caregivers of young people at risk of self-harm. The workshop is based on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), which studies have shown to benefit those at risk of self-harm. The trial aims to determine if the DBT-Informed Caregiver Risk Management Workshop is easy to implement and beneficial for caregivers. Families with a caregiver of a child aged 12-26 at risk for self-harm may qualify if they speak English and have access to Zoom. As an unphased trial, this study allows caregivers to contribute to innovative research that could improve support for families facing similar challenges.

Research has shown that the DBT-Informed Caregiver Risk Management Workshop receives positive feedback from participants. In one study, 17 caregivers attended a four-session workshop that included safety planning and strategies based on DBT. Participants engaged actively, and no major negative effects were reported.

Other research has found that DBT-based methods can help reduce self-harm and improve emotional health. For example, one study demonstrated that combining DBT with another therapy reduced self-injury, improved emotional control, and decreased anxiety and depression in teenagers.

The DBT-Informed Caregiver Risk Management Workshop is unique because it directly involves caregivers in the treatment process for youth self-harm, which is a departure from traditional methods that primarily focus on the individual experiencing self-harm. While most current treatments emphasize individual therapy, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for the affected youth, this workshop empowers caregivers with strategies and skills to better support their loved ones. Researchers are excited about this approach because it aims to create a supportive environment at home, potentially leading to more sustainable outcomes and reducing the risk of self-harm in youth.

The DBT-Informed Caregiver Risk Management Workshop, which trial participants will attend, is based on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Studies have shown that DBT effectively reduces self-harm and suicidal behaviors in teenagers. Research indicates that involving families in DBT leads to better outcomes for young people, including fewer suicidal thoughts and less self-injury. In one study, 90% of teenagers who received DBT had fewer suicide attempts, compared to 79% who received other treatments. Another study found that teenagers experienced significant improvements, such as blaming others less and having fewer suicidal thoughts, when DBT was used. Overall, DBT is recognized as a valuable treatment for addressing self-harm in young people.¹³⁴⁶⁷