Self Harm

1031 Words3 Pages

PART A

Give a brief account of the major points the writer is raising. Identify the larger topic area the article is addressing.

The writer brings to our attention the reality of the suffering that those who self-harm face. She interviews two ladies, Alice and Nikki, about their experiences and what caused them to self-harm. Both grew up in households that were not forgiving and both used self-harm as a means of escape. Dr Jo Robinson, a senior research fellow at the National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health in Melbourne, believes that those who self-harm aren’t doing it for unnecessary attention but rather as a statement that they need help. The article addresses the devastating effect that debauched circumstances and experiences …show more content…

Young people suffering form self-harm may not seek help from a doctor, family members and other friends because of the situations they are put in.

For example, a girl sexually abused by a relative would be traumatised to the point of never wanting to associate herself or even be near her perpetrator. As a result of this incident, she loses trust in the people she should have relied on.

As referenced in the article, Alice’s treatment by the doctors were not particularly kind, as she went through stitching without anasthaesia. Alice believes that this was her ‘punishment’ for inflicting pain on herself and that the doctors and nurses didn’t believe that she deserved better treatment. As a doctor should be a person that anyone should be able to confide in, Alice’s experiences have shattered the trust between patient and doctor.

Possible alternatives include seeking help from a welfare teacher at school, as they would be able to see things in a objective light rather than personal. Counsellors are also rained to help people in a range of issues, and provides a listening ear without the risk of being

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