Art therapy as an intervention for adolescent self-harm and suicidality

Adolescence is a key developmental period marked by significant social, emotional, and cognitive changes, which also brings an increased risk of mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is common among adolescents, and suicide is a leading cause of death in youth aged 10-19 worldwide. Additionally, in the United States alone, suicide death rates have increased dramatically, nearly tripling between 2007 and 2017 among children between the ages of 10 and 14 years-old (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2020). Despite these concerns, effective interventions for adolescents with suicidal thoughts and NSSI are limited. This study aims to explore the use of art therapy to help reduce NSSI and suicidality in adolescents at an outpatient counseling center. The goal is to develop a treatment approach that fills gaps in current research and provides additional support for these adolescents. Art therapy, particularly when combined with techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical-behavioral therapy for adolescents (DBT-A), can help teach skills like emotion regulation, problem-solving, and mindfulness. This review will contribute to the development of a more effective, integrated approach to address the mental health needs of adolescents and reduce the risks of suicide and self-harm.