Effects Of Self Harm Essay

1052 Words3 Pages

Self-Harm
The topic of self-harm has received little coverage in the past few years. However it has become an increasingly popular matter in today’s mental health publications. Most of this attention is diverted to youths who live with the need to self-inflict violence upon them. Self-harm is a pertinent issue in our teen society todays and it’s extremely difficult to stop. “Professor Keith Hawton (Hawton et al., 2006 P. 44) reports that the majority of self-harming behaviors do not reach professional attention. Most information about self-harm as a medical phenomenon and as a symptom of mental illness is derived from clinical populations, and it is important to question how far this can generalize to the general population.”
With an increase in anxiety and stress in teenagers, some are choosing to cope with such tension by finding a form of release in self-harm. A useful definition of self-harm is from Professor Keith Hawton (Hawton et al., 2006. p29). An act with a non-fatal outcome in which an individual deliberately did one or more of the following; Initiated behavior (e.g. self-cutting, jumping from a height), which they intended to cause self-harm to one’s self. Studies show self-harm occurs in ages from 12-to 18 years of age. A once thought to be an attempt at suicide, a copy-cat strategy, or a way to seek attention, professionals are now indicating it is not necessarily any of these, but a coping mechanism that many teens are now choosing to release anxiety. Self-injury can be broken down into two categories which include self-injury, Self-poisoning, and other risk-taking behaviors.
However, Parents and other trusted adults in teen's lives need to become aware of the warning signs which may include wearing long sleeves...

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...ms and stresses is the most helpful thing of all. This is why counselling or another type of talking therapy is useful. There is also self-help groups that you can be contacted, where those who self-harm can meet other people who have been through similar experiences.
To conclude, It is important to acknowledge how intense it is to learn that someone you love lives with SIV. Systems of care, as well as the general public, are beginning to change their beliefs about people who self-injure. There are pockets of support and safety emerging for those who want help to heal from the need for SIV. Yet there is a great amount of work to be done. A trauma-informed society and system of care is the foundation of healing as well as prevention. We know that children who survive adverse childhood experiences are more prone to SIV as well as other emotional and physical struggles.

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