Robin, would it be okay for you to get the statistics as I'm not sure where to get them from. I have applied all of edits Robin; thanks for your ideas Dez. Also, what do you mean by this:
Quote:
Originally Posted by PSY
For the conclusion, you can always list resources that pertain to self harm (I suggest using the resources already listed on TeenHelp, for consistency's sake) |
Debunking myths of self harm
By Jenny (coolkid98)
There are many myths about self harm and why people self harm; many of these myths are false and lead to stereotypical views of self harm. Some of the myths prevent self harmers from telling others about their self harm due to fear of being labelled as a 'emo'.
Myth: People self harm in order to gain attention.
Fact: Many people who self harm do so in secret and cover up their injuries. People who self harm are often fearful of what will happen if anyone finds out about their self harm. According to the Mental Health Foundation, many self harmers are self-conscious of their injuries and experience a great deal of guilt as a result of hurting themselves. This also pushes self harmers to hide their injuries, rather than "showing them off" out of a desire to gain attention from loved ones.
Myth: Self harm is a suicide attempt.
Fact: Self harmers don’t always want to die. For many self harmers, self harm is a coping mechanism used to get through everyday life. It is used to help people cope with feelings that may not be expressed otherwise.
Myth: Self harm is cutting.
Fact: Self harm is any way of hurting oneself, such as scratching, pulling out hair and burning. It is a way of releasing feelings, either physical feelings or emotional. It also can be a way of controlling something if everything seems to be out of control.
Myth: People who self harm can stop if they want to.
Fact: Self harm can become addictive and therefore can be really hard to stop.
It is addictive because it is a way of distracting yourself from the feelings as it takes your mind of the feelings and focusing them on the pain. Just telling someone won’t help them stop, self harmers need support to help them stop, and help to learn other coping strategies to get through self harm urges.
Myth: People who self harm like pain.
Fact: Self harm is about emotional pain, and is a way of releasing feelings through physical pain. For many self harmers, self harm is seen as the only way of coping with the situation. It isn't enjoyable and instead is a way to release feelings.
Myth: The wound isn't that bad; therefore the problem isn't bad.
Fact: Self harmers often feel overwhelming feelings and think that the only way to get rid of the feelings is to self harm. This emotional distress should be taken seriously, no matter how bad the injuries are.
Myth: A person is mentally ill if they self harm.
Fact: Self harm is a coping mechanism used to help with feelings, such as times of stress or traumatic events. Self harm alone doesn't mean a person is mentally ill, it means that a person is struggling to cope with their emotions therefore they need support and people to understand.
Myth: Only young people self harm.
Fact: Although young people are more likely to have self harmed than adults, it is possible that anyone of any age and gender may have self harmed.
People self harm for a variety of reasons and there are many ways of self harming. Self harmers need to support and someone who is understanding and who isn't judging or stereotyping them.