Putting the "self" in self-injury research: Inclusion of people with lived experience in the research process

Abstract

Worldwide, nonsuicidal self-injury has emerged as a paramount concern given its associations with psychiatric difficulties and suicide risk. Despite many gains in the understanding of self-injury, there remain numerous unanswered questions in the field, including how to enhance both treatment and service provision. With this in mind, this Open Forum represents a call to action, advocating and providing strategies for inclusion of people with lived experience in selfinjury research. An inclusive approach to self-injury research can yield greater understanding about how to best serve the needs of those who self-injure and others who are affected by self-injury.