SEE MY PAIN

Self-Injury Presentation 8th Grade Health

(Susan Bowman & Kaye Randall, 2006)

What is Self-Injury?Definition

The deliberate mutilation of the body or

bodypart, not with the intent to commit suicide

butas a way of managing emotions that seem

toopainful for words to express.

(Conterio and Lader)

Forms of Self-Injury Cutting Scratching the skin until it bleeds Burning/Abrasions Hair Pulling Bruising Marking/branding Or multiple methods

It is NOT Self-Injury if…

The purpose is: Body decoration (piercing or

tattooing) Fitting in Being cool Getting Attention

Why do People Self-Injure?

They have strong uncomfortable emotions and don’t know how to deal with them

They have trouble talking about their feelings and begin to feel numb

Can’t think of any other way to deal with pressure or stress in their lives

Why do People Self-Injure?

May have suffered abuse in the past

They have low-self esteem and are lonely

May be easier to handle physical pain than emotional pain

Attempt to make an internal wound external

So…

They hurt themselves to feel something – to redirect pain from emotions to body

They hide their wounds and scars because it is their deeply shameful secret

They feel guilty or shameful about cutting, and cut again because it is the only coping mechanism they know

See My Pain

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTtpLKMi9E4

Who Self-Injures?“Self-injurers come from all walks of life and all economic brackets, although most come from a middle-class to upper-class background. People who harm themselves can be male or female; straight, gay, or bisexual; Ph.D.s or high-school dropouts or high-school students; rich or poor; from any country in the world.”

(www.focusas.com)

Why is it an Issue? Addictive (pain only goes away for

a short time) Unhealthy way of coping Embarrassing scars are constant

reminder May lead to suicide attempts

What can friends do? Important to take care of yourself 1st!! Listen to your friend Don’t judge Tell your friend that you cannot keep

their self-injury secret Tell a trusted adult (even when your

friend begs you not to, or threatens that they will cut if you do)

Support your friend

Resources Dakota County Crisis line – 952-891-7171 1-800-DONTCUT

www.selfinjury.com www.focusas.com

When searching the internet be careful because some sites and videos on self injury are made with bad intentions .