TeenHelp - School and SH

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- - School and SH (http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f22-education-careers/t145592-school-self-harm/)

Hey,
So recently I began to SH and the urges are getting stronger. I have severe anxiety and depression, and my triggers are mainly at school. At home I have found alternitives to cutting that work for me like listening to music or taking a walk. Even though I can't actually cut at school, I still have the urges and need a way to cope with them. Since I can't do my usually SH alternitives, I was wondering if anyone had ideas about ones that I can do while in a school environment. I looked at the SH alternitives list, but most of them can't be done in school. I would appreciate any advice.

Clover

Re: School and SH

Hello :)

Its great to hear that you've found some things helpful and I am glad you have.

I struggled a lot when I was at school so my school allowed me to take time out of lessons where I could sit with my pastoral support officer or sit in the block she was based and do something to help myself. Could you talk to your school about having time out etc to do things like this'? I don't know if your school knows about your issues but if they don't, this would also be a really good way for you to get some more support to help you through this.

If you need anything, feel free to shoot me a message.

Hope and wishes,
Jessie

Re: School and SH

Hey!

Thanks for the reply. I told my teacher about my depression and anxiety, but have yet to mention my SH. I really want to tell her, but I'm scared of what will happen if I do. To be honest I don't really know what to expect. I know that she will have to tell my parents, but beyond that I don't know. She lets me step out if I am having really bad anxiety, I think she would let me do it for my urges too, but I would have to tell her first.

If anyone is comfortable sharing, could you please tell me your school's responce if they found out? It's almost the end of the year, so I don't know if I should just hold out or tell, and it partially depends on what would happen if I told.

Clover

Re: School and SH

I don't think there is any point in holding on. Clearly this is an issue now and needs to be sorted in some way. I really want to encourage you to talk to your teacher about your self harm.

When my school found out about it, they called a meeting with the school counselor, pastoral support, head of year and my mum to get everything in the open. It was pretty hard going but in the long run it helped me a lot and gave me a space to talk as well as the time out in lessons. Do you think you could talk to your teacher about your self harm? I always used to write things down, give it to my pastoral support officer and then she'd start the conversation and we would talk about it. Sometimes people find it easier than verbally expressing it so that's always an option to :)

Re: School and SH

Hi,

I know you said it's the end of the year now, but you could consider a flash pass for next year. I don't think all schools have them, but some do. I had mine for anxiety and overwhelming feelings and I could use it to see the nurse or the guidance counselor for twenty minutes at a time. The pass was unlimited and sometimes I'd use it just to walk through the halls.

You can also bring distractions that are subtle. You could wear a hair tie around your wrist and fidget with that when you're upset, or you can write about how you're feeling. I used to write a lot about how I was feeling during classes and my teachers never said anything because they thought I was taking a lot of notes.

When my school found out, they told my parents I was depressed but not about my self-harm because my body was healed. They found out later, and called my parents. They made me remove my clothing so they could look over my body.

I think you should tell your teacher about your self-harm. Because, even if you don't have her next year, she can still serve as a support for you.

Re: School and SH

Thanks for the advice.
I'm going to a new school next year, so I don't know what their policy is. I think that I'm going to try to have something to fiddle with. That helped me with the past, so maybe it can work again.:)

Thanks!

Clover