The Fall River Public Schools, the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health and United Neighbors of Fall River held a two-and-a-half hour professional training session on "Understanding the Complex Puzzle of Non-Suicidal Self-Injury" with Dr. Barent Walsh at Kuss Middle School on June 14, 2017. Dr. Walsh offered evidence-based knowledge about the variety and causes of self-injurious behavior, its relationship to suicidality, and how to assess and treat it effectively. In his presentation, Dr. Walsh focuses on understanding the diverse forms of self-injury (cutting, self-burning, self-hitting, etc.) and explained how self-injury can be distinguished from suicidal behavior and discusses as a major risk factor for suicidal attempts. Over 200 professionals were in attendance, and teachers were offered free CMEs for the session. Click here for a six-minute video of the first part of the presentation. For more information, contact United Neighbors of Fall River Executive Director Wendy Garf-Lipp a 508-324-7933

(Top row) After registering over 200 professionals for the session, United Neighbors of Fall River Executive Director Wendy Garf-Lipp introduces Selena Robertson of the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health who arranged for Dr. Walsh to present. (Rows two through four) Dr. Barent Walsh of The Bridge in Worcester covered all aspects of self-injury and distinguished it from suicidal behavior.