has to be,  conflict resolution coping communication skills, self esteem empowerment, 

Hi Athol,

You already have some good ideas for your app. I'd suggest that in the beginning of your app, specify the need for professional help and self-care, and indicate that your app is only an adjunct to the professional help. 

In the segment on professional help, show how to access resources for the adolescent and the family.

In the segment on self-care, provide a few pointers on how to seek support from families and friends, and/or join a support group, etc.

There are tons of resources out there. Here are some for you to consider.

https://www.parentline.com.au/parenting-information/tip-sheets/self-harm.php

https://www.amazon.com/When-Your-Child-Cutting-Self-Injury/dp/1572244372

https://books.google.com/books?id=wkhIE386yjsC&pg=PA315&lpg=PA315&dq=McVey-Noble,+Merry+E.,+S.+Khemlani-Patel,+F.+Neziroglu,+2006+%E2%80%98When+Your+Child+Is+Cutting+-+A+Parent%27s+Guide+to+Helping+Children+Overcome+Self-Injury%E2%80%99&source=bl&ots=3wviWQacNk&sig=KGhSCQpn7RIHCFIs1EEMiBbZ5fI&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjfupGq35XUAhXLv1QKHTOMDuEQ6AEIMjAD#v=onepage&q=McVey-Noble%2C%20Merry%20E.%2C%20S.%20Khemlani-Patel%2C%20F.%20Neziroglu%2C%202006%20%E2%80%98When%20Your%20Child%20Is%20Cutting%20-%20A%20Parent's%20Guide%20to%20Helping%20Children%20Overcome%20Self-Injury%E2%80%99&f=false

Thanks for the input, there is so much info that parents and families would find useful. I was considering reminding users that it is only an app, and the best help is from professional help. The support group idea is good, I was planning to create a facebook page to go with the app, so anyone could discuss the app and issues regarding adolescent self-harm. If you can think of anything else I am always grateful for any input.

Self-harm is sometimes the result of strong emotions about anger, abuse, and losses experienced earlier or concurrently in the environment.

Hi Athol, 

It's very creative of you to create a Facebook page that links to your app. My original idea of a support group is a face-to-face service that would ensure more privacy and confidentiality. I'm not sure about confidentiality on Facebook.

Because you appeared to plan an online support group, it would be important to meet the confidentiality and professional requirements about telemental health in your country. I've recently provided an answer to an online support group discussion on ResearchGate. Here is a link to it.

https://www.researchgate.net/post/Does_anybody_know_some_online_self_help_group

Excellent idea! You have covered important aspects of information for parents on this complex issue. Have you considered using the "feeling wheel?" as a resource for parent communication skill building?

http://aca-arizona.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/650_Feelings-Wheel-Color.jpg

Hi Athol,

it could be helpful for parents, if the app would be able to show support groups and councelling services in their region. Maybe the app can provide information related to an area code.

Interesting idea!  If you do go with the Facebook idea, strongly recommend that it's a closed group.

It's a complex issue, and certainly encouraging parents to seek professional support , preferably from someone with expertise in the area, is important.  Self-harm can mean many things, from being an indicator of suicide risk and sexual abuse, to a relatively normalised way of expressing the stresses and strains of adolescence (in some peer groups) - see attached article, and a special issue of the New Zealand Journal of Psychology, to be published in July.

You might find the following of interest:

HALL, C. M. & BIERMAN, K. L. 2015. Technology-assisted Interventions for Parents of Young Children: Emerging Practices, Current Research, and Future Directions. Early Child Res Q, 33, 21-32.

Social Policy Evaluation and Research Unit. (2016). Going digital to deliver wellbeing services to young people? Insights from e-tools supporting youth mental health and parenting. Wellington: SuperU. http://www.superu.govt.nz/publication/what_works_going_digital

Hello,

when offering parents help to deal with their adolescents self-harm, I think it is important to keep in mind that the parent-adolescent Relationship is, more often than not, intricated into, or directly triggering, the emotional state that leads to self harm in the youngster. Professionnal help is most of all "outside help", allowing the youngster to step back from the complex feelings that link him to his parents. Parents' direct help in face of self harm is a really tricky thing, I find. Parents may be anxious and scared, their reactions tending to exasperate or stress the youngster; or they may express negative judgment or be moralising, tending to increase anger and guilt in the youngster. I feel that the emotional involvment will make any parental intervention, other than seeking out a third person (professionnal, neutral benevolent helper...) hazardous. Just my opinion!

WOW...I feel extremely humbled by all your answers, they are proving useful, thank you!! I have never come across the feeling wheel concept before, but it sounds interesting. And the facebook privacy issue, as with many online portals is always of concern when discuss any health conditions, but it is good that you reminded me of it! As the bulk of my research is done I will let you all know what the app will include and of its design. Thanks again everyone!!

Interparental conflict: