PROVO CANYON SCHOOL

Provo Canyon School was founded in 1971 close to Provo Canyon, UT, by Robert H. Crist and Jack Williams. Its primary objective was educating teenage boys whose problems are so severe that their treatment and education require a restricted, therapeutic environment. Provo Canyon School currently focuses on rehabilitation of adolescents, girls and boys, with personality disorders and behavioral disorders, but also accepts adolescents for drug rehabilitation and treatment of other social dysfunctions.

Provo Canyon School is a member of the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs and is accredited by the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. However, the school's credentials have been called into question by a number of lawsuits. In the 1980s and 90s, it was found guilty in several cases (Mundy v. Charter Medical Corporation dba Provo Canyon School, Milonas and Rice v. Provo Canyon School, Taylor v. Provo Canyon School), leading to the eventual closing of the facility's parent company, Charter Medical Corporation (not to be confused with Charter Medical, a pharmaceutical company). Co-founder Crist, who was a defendant in the above cases, continues to be its medical director.

Stereotypic self-mutilation:

This type of behavior has a repetitive nature and could occur periodically. According to researchers, the behavior reflects inflicting injury without any embarrassment or feeling of guilt. Provo Canyon School has been treating such children for the last three decades.

A prevalent behavior among the affected persons is head banging. Other types of harming oneself are:

•Biting.

•Scratching.

•Vomiting.

•Seizures.

•Injuring the eyes.

Neurological or psychological symptoms are often part of these symptoms. Autism and Tourette’s syndrome are other disorders that can accompany self-injury incidents. Figures suggest that self-injury occurs 45 out of 100,000 times in these cases.

Moderate or Superficial Self-Mutilation

Some symptoms of this condition include:

•Cutting.

•Burning by exposure to heat.

•Pulling the hair.

•Scratching.

Though the consequences may be seldom serious, chances can’t be taken. Immediate medical attention is required, in case of deep cuts. Although the symptoms look the same, there are major differences in the subtypes: repetitive, compulsive and episodic.

About 2,000,000 cases of deliberate self-injury are estimated to occur every year. The Provo Canyon staff has been trained to look out for similar symptoms. Let us now look into the sub-types.

Compulsive Self-Mutilation

This type of behavior could occur several times in a day. A rare case of self-mutilation, it has been known to occur unconsciously.

The behavior can be a need to attract the family’s attention. Skin picking, hair pulling, nail biting, accompanied with depression and anxiety can be observed. Four or five hour self-injury phases could occur at a time.

Episodic Self-Mutilation

This type of self-injury could be a source of escape from memories, disturbing thoughts and other emotions. The attempt is to be relieved of any uncomfortable feeling.

Some reasons for this behavior could be:

•Anger.

•Extreme joy or jubilation.

•Attempting to be unique.

•Escaping tension.

•Gaining a sense of security.

Repetitive Self-Mutilation

Repetitive self-injury may soon turn into a habit and an addiction if not controlled. The Provo Canyon staff provides medication and supervises students to check the habit. Eating disorders could be co-existent with the condition. Beside the alarming regularity of injuring oneself, this is not seen as a suicidal behavior.