July 27, 2010

EDGEWOOD CHILDREN'S CENTER AND S.A.F.E. ALTERNATIVES INTRODUCE RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT PROGRAM FOR SELF-INJURERS
Program is only one of its kind in the United States

ST. LOUIS, MO (July 27, 2010) – Edgewood Children’s Center, a leading provider of treatment services for children and youth with behavioral and emotional disorders, is partnering with S.A.F.E. ALTERNATIVES® (Self Abuse Finally Ends) to open a residential treatment program for self-injurers.

The program at Edgewood’s campus in Webster Groves, Mo., is a program for individuals ages 12-20 who engage in non-lethal, repetitive self-injurious behavior. 

The prevalence of self-injurers is not clear as researchers have used different populations, measures and definitions of self-injury to collect their data.  General studies on adolescents in community samples report a lifetime prevalence of between 15 to 20 percent. 

The most prevalent reason for children and adolescents to self injure is internal emotional regulation; that is, to either stop intensive and uncomfortable feeling states, or to "feel something" when numbed.  It can also function to communicate feelings or needs to others and perhaps even to impact the behavior of others such as to stop parents from fighting, to stop a boyfriend or girlfriend from leaving, among others.

The unique program features a multidisciplinary treatment team incorporating individual, group and family therapies to support and empower individuals to make healthier choices when dealing with emotional distress.  Clients participate in programming seven days a week with an average length of stay of approximately 30 days depending on individual needs and treatment plan.  The program is voluntary and, therefore, clients must be motivated to stop the self destructive behavior. 

Founded in 1985, S.A.F.E. is an internationally recognized provider of care for youth who engage in non-lethal, repetitive self-injurious behavior For information on self-injury and the residential treatment program visit www.selfinjury.com.

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Editor’s Note: Source of information for statistics and treatment are from SAFE Alternatives website www.selfinjury.com

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About Great Circle
Established as a result of the merger of Boys & Girls Town of Missouri and Edgewood Children’s Center, Great Circle provides treatment, education, prevention and support services to children with a history of physical, sexual or emotional abuse, neglect or abandonment. Great Circle’s mission to “reshape vulnerable lives through a community of partners, teachers and leaders, giving children and families the confidence to create bright futures” is fulfilled through campuses in St. Louis, Columbia, Springfield and St. James, Missouri. As one of the children’s non-for-profit services in Missouri, the organization annually serves approximately 7,800 children and family members and employs more than 700 staff members. For more information please visit www.great-circle.org.