I understand entirely that self-injury may provide a brief sense of calm and relief from emotional pain, but it’s important to know that these feelings are temporary. What often follows is an overwhelming sense of guilt and shame, which can make things even more difficult to cope with.
When it comes to talking to teens about self-harm, it’s important to approach the topic with sensitivity and compassion. I believe that there are a few key points to keep in mind:
1. Learning to cope with strong emotions is a crucial step in preventing self-harm. Encourage teens to recognize their feelings and healthily express them. This might involve deep breathing, journaling, or talking to a trusted friend or family member.
2. Negative thoughts can be a major trigger for self-harm. Help teens to identify and counter these thoughts with positive affirmations. Encourage them to focus on their strengths and accomplishments rather than their perceived flaws.
3. Building self-esteem is another important aspect of preventing self-harm. Encourage teens to identify their unique talents and interests and to pursue activities that make them feel good about themselves. This might involve sports, music, art, or other hobbies.
If you know someone dealing with these issues, please don’t hesitate to offer support. By speaking up and “touching their life,” you could make all the difference.
Self-injury is a private act that often leaves a pattern on the skin. It is usually done in a controlled way or the same way each time. Self-injury can take several forms, including cutting, scratching, stabbing, burning, hitting, punching, biting, head-banging, piercing the skin, and inserting objects under the skin. The most common areas of the body that are targeted are the arms, legs, chest, and belly, although any area can be a target. Sometimes, more than one method is used. Becoming upset can trigger urges to self-injure. While some people self-injure only a few times and then stop, others may continue the behavior.
If you know someone dealing with these issues, please don’t hesitate to offer support. By speaking up and “touching their life,” you could make all the difference.
“Each of us is a vital thread in the tapestry of each other. We are woven together for a reason”