Outreach & Advocacy Work

  • Self-injury Outreach & Support

    Co-developed by Dr. Lewis and Dr. Nancy Heath (McGill University), Self-injury Outreach & Support (SiOS) is our non-profit outreach initiative. SiOS has been accessed in over 180 countries across the globe and offers current research-informed information and resources about non-suicidal self-injury. This includes coping guides for people with lived experiences as well as stories and words of inspiration from people worldwide. In addition to this, SiOS offers a range of support resources for a range of stakeholders, including families, friends, partners, school, and a variety of health professionals.

  • Commentaries, Op-Eds, Advocacy, & Media Engagement

    We recognise that not everyone reads academic articles. Thus, to reach non-academic audiences, we also take part in various initiatives to disseminate information about self-injury and mental health difficulties to broader audiences. This involves media (e.g., radio, TV, news outlet) interviews, podcasts, writing pieces for social media and online platforms dedicated to tackling stigma and promoting greater mental health literacy. Please scroll down for a list of sample pieces we have been invovle with over the years.

Sample Outreach, Media, and Advocacy Pieces

Pieces published via The Mighty

Lewis, S.P. (2016). When Self-Injury Shames You Into Silence. Published on The Mighty.

https://themighty.com/topic/self-harm/its-important-to-break-the-silence-about-self-injury/

Lewis, S.P. & Hasking, P. 10 Things People Who Self-Harm Tell Us About Recovery. Published on The Mighty.

https://themighty.com/topic/self-harm/self-injury-say-about-recovery-journey/

Pieces published via The Conversation

Hasking, P. & Lewis, S.P. (2019). It’s not only teenage girls, and it’s rarely attention-seeking: debunking the myths around self-injury. Published in The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/its-not-only-teenage-girls-and-its-rarely-attention-seeking-debunking-the-myths-around-self-injury-120214

Hasking, P. & Lewis, S.P. (2023). Someone has told you they’re self-harming. Now what? Published in The Conversation

https://theconversation.com/someone-has-told-you-theyre-self-harming-now-what-213983

Media interviews/appearances

SELECT PRINTED & ONLINE NEWS

Anderson, E. (2011) Teens influenced by YouTube videos of self-cutting, risky behaviour: studies. Globe and Mail.

Arnold, C. (2014). Why Self-harm. Aeon Magazine.

CBC News. (2011). Self-injury YouTube Videos pose risk: study. CBC.

Curley, A. (2011). Websites may encourage self-injury in teens, young adults. CNN.

Forgione, M. (2011). YouTube cutting self-injury videos draw increasing number of viewers, study finds. Los Angeles Times.

Hutchison, C (2011). Self-harm videos on YouTube: Dangerous or Therapeutic. ABC News

La Rose, L. (2011). Self-injury YouTube videos may reinforce behaviour among viewers, study suggests. Canadian Press.

Linden, D.W. (2015). Schools Face the Teen Cutting Problem. Wall Street Journal

Linden, D.W. (2015). 5 Facts about teen self-injury. Wall Street Journal

Marks, M. (2019). Censoring Self-Harm on Facebook Might Do More Harm Than Good. Vice News.

O’Malley, S. (2016). Boys, men & self-injury. Centre for Addiction & Mental Health News.

Pittman, G. (2012). Self-injury may start early in some kids: study. Reuters.

Portico Staff (2016). Professor Stephen Lewis On The Scope And Nature Of Self-Injury.

Rabin, R.C. (2011). Behavior: Videos of Self-injury Find An Audience. New York Times.

Rochman, B. (2011) For Teens who cut, going online can sometimes help. Time.

Seaman, A. (2014). Self-injury information online available but rarely accurate. Reuters.

Taylor, P. (2012). Website offers help for teens who self-harm. Globe and Mail.

Stacy, K.M (2011). Worrisome Trend: Self-injury Videos on Internet. WebMD Health News.

Szabo, L. (2011). Teens share self-injury, ‘cutting’ videos on YouTube. USA Today.

Tanner, L. (2011). Self-injury Vidoes on YouTube are Alarming Trend. Associated Press.

White. N. (2011). Self-harm videos a worrying trend. The Toronto Star.

Zagorski . (2022). People who self-injure describe behaviors as addictive. American Association of Psychiatry. APA News.

SELECT TV/E-VIDEO NEWS

Green, S.R. (2011). Graphic Content: Self-injury on YouTube. USA Today

Marble, P.  (2011). Self-injury videos on YouTube. Evening News. Today’s TMJ 4: NBC News.

Travers., L. (2011). Canada AM: CTV (Interviewed by Seamus O’Reagan).

Wild, A.M. (2011). Self-cutting Trend Apparent on YouTube. Good Morning America: ABC News.

 SELECT RADIO INTERVIEWS STORIES

Bagnato, B. CBS Radio News. February 21, 2011.

Caroll, B. The Bill Caroll Show. KFI Radio. February 22, 2011.

Chattopadhyay, P. Out in the Open. February, 2018

Chen, W. Ontario Morning. CBC Radio. April, 2012

Cornwall, J. Magic FM & CJOY. April, 2012.

Ontario Today. CBC Radio. February 22, 2011.

Reihm, D. The Diane Reihm Show. National Public Radio.

Spark. CBC Radio. Self-harm and Social Media. March, 10 2019

The World Today. BBC News. February 21, 2011

Select Podcast Interviews

The Psychology of Self-injury: Self-Injury and the Internet

The Psychology of Self-injury: Self-Injury Recovery: A Person-Centered Approach