Below is a quote from www.helpguide.org The site has good information on addictions, self-harm, depression, eating disorders and more. Worth reading to inform your understanding of people in need! TJS
Myths and facts about cutting and self-harm
Because cutting and other means of self-harm tend to be taboo subjects, the people around you—and possibly even you—may harbor serious misconceptions about your motivations and state of mind.
Myth: Self-harm is a suicidal act.
•Fact: Although people do die from self-harm, these instances are accidental; in general, self-harmers do not want to die. In fact, self-injury may be a way of coping, of regaining control of pain—in order to go on living.
Myth: People who self-injure are crazy.
•Fact: Those who self-harm are usually dealing with trauma, not mental health problems. There are exceptions, but by and large, you are probably trying to cope with problems in the only way you know how.
Myth: Injuring yourself is a cry for attention.
•Fact: Friends, family, and even healthcare professionals may think that if you hurt yourself, you are seeking attention, but the painful truth is that people who self-harm generally try to hide what they are doing—rather than draw attention to it—because they feel ashamed and afraid.
It is so sad that in such free, wealthy country like Canada kids are still mutilating themselves to cope. I want to believe things are being done to eliminate this problem. Like plague and polio almost disappeared, self-destructive behavior should become history. I hope to live to see it happening rather sooner than later...
ReplyDeleteI agree. Self-harm is a language so we need to understand what they are trying to say---then teach a more healthy language. It begins with good listening!
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