On Friday 18th January we held our 3rd one day workshop titled: Cutting in, cutting through - understanding and working with indivudals who self harm. We had a total number of 49 participants over the 3 days and I  thank all individuals who attended and the agencies that supported their attendance.

Participants for the 3rd workshop came from a variety of professional settings (Mental Health, Drug & Alcohol, BRISSC) and included professional roles such as Health Professionals, Support Workers, Youth Workers Group Facilitator.

The day was another great success. Participants were invited to engage in a number of group activities including some psychodrama. Psychodrama was used to assist participants "warm up" to the roles they take when interacting with an individual who self harms. Further, some participants were given the opportunity to "role reverse" with indivudals who self harm.

Here are some of the comments from participants who attended the day:

Which topic did you find most useful and why:

• "use of self, reminders about language" (Anna - BRISSC)
• "Role reversal, role models, visual, interactive, experiential" (Vicki -  BPH)
• "identifying different parts of the body and the significance of harm in those areas, limbic system - physical responses, theories general" (Christene - Life without barriers)
• "welcoming people to challenge content, challenge to language and exploration for the need for compassion and understanding people's needs" (Therese HQIP)

 Was the workshop value for money?:

• "skills and ideas about how to approach these conversations to BREATHE" (Christene - LIfe without barriers)
• "realised I knew more than I thought I did, given me confidence" (Angela - Mater)
• "refreshed stuff learnt and built on knowledge'

Many thanks to all participants, it was a pleasure to work with you.

Since this workshop we have received expressions of interest about running another workshop on self harm. Potential month is August 2008. Stay tuned to our webiste for the flyers to be posted.  Our next one day workshop is on profesisonal boundaries (15th Feb 2008. We are planning a two day workshop on Group Facilitation in April so stay tuned for news on that workshop)

See you next time - Wendy