latinsraka.blogg.se - Beyond skin deep

It could be easy to assume that one sub-group in your youth ministry is more at risk for self-harm than others, but self-harm is not limited to one gender, race, socio-economic group, or age. Self-injury can occur anywhere on the body, but common areas include the arms, hands, wrists, thighs, and stomach.

Kids who cut are trying to overcome their physiological distress with self-injury, choosing to self-injure rather than self-destruct.Īlthough cutting is the most common form of deliberate self-injury, teens may also harm themselves through severe scratching, burning, banging, hitting, hair pulling, inserting objects under their skin, or by using a combination of these behaviors. Instead, many youth describe self-harm as an “anti-suicide”, using self-injury as a coping mechanism to actively avoid killing themselves. Although self-injurers may be suicidal, self-injury is not a failed suicide attempt. Self-injury should also not be confused with the self-harming behaviors of those with mental impairments such as schizophrenia. Self-injury excludes socially acceptable self-harm such as piercing, tattoos, violent sports, and high-risk behaviors.

It is not socially acceptable behavior.

Self-injury can be defined as the intentional harm of one’s body tissue through socially unacceptable behavior, normally in reaction to psychological crisis, and without suicidal intent. Self-injury is often misunderstood because it seems counterintuitive and mysterious, so it is important to understand what it is and what it is not. Yet the prevalence of self-harm means we need to become more equipped to care for these kids. Because of the hidden and shameful nature of self-injury and the real physical damage that occurs, it can be difficult to understand and scary to help. Studies show that between 14-39% of adolescents have had at least one incident of deliberate self-injury.

Every time one of these signs surfaced, the same thought ran through my mind: Could she be a cutter?Ĭutting, one of the many types of deliberate self-harm, is a present reality in most of our youth ministries. The wrist guard fashion accessory that is always on.

After the first girl, I always had a watchful eye when working with kids.