Self Harm (Steven Gonzales)

Spreading Awareness

There are many things about a person that can not be known by just looking at them such as their emotional and mental state. People that are affected by mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, or many others can often feel alone in finding ways to feel better. According to Samantha Gluck, from Healthy Place America's Mental Health Channel, untreated mental disorders often lead to unhealthy ways to cope with them. Unhealthy coping could lead to drastic actions such as self harm. Self harm is a general term which includes behaviors such as cutting, burning, or pulling out hair. Any behavior intentionally done to oneself inflicting physical harm. This physical harm is done to cope with mental disorders or traumatic events.

Statistics

• 1 in 5 females self harm
• 1 in 7 males self harm
• 90% begin in teen or pre-adolescent age
• Nearly 50% have been sexual abused
• About two million cases are reported annually in the U.S.
• 4,678 nonfatal self inflicted injuries in Los Angeles in 2009

It is important to know that statistics about self harm are from reported cases which may not be accurate. Many people who self harm do not view it as something they need help with because in their mind it is helping them. They may keep their self harm a secret, sometimes even from professionals.

Helping Loved Ones

Although people who self harm tend to be more secretive about it they may attempt to reach out to someone they trust and are close to. That person could be you. It is common for someone who does not self harm and never has to not fully understand how sensitive they can be. Gluck emphasizes some key tips about responding to a self harmer.

• Do get appropriate help for him or her from a qualified mental health professional
• Do not allow him or her to recount the self injury experience in detail as it may trigger another session
• Do not use threats in an attempt to stop the behavior
• Do not show shock or revulsion at what they've done
• Avoid panic and overreaction
• Listen with compassion
• Know that this represents a way of dealing with emotional pain
• Accept him or her even if you disagree with the behavior
• Remain calm and caring

Helping a self harmer can be draining when you are the only person they go to for help, but there at many hotlines and professionals that should be contacted to get the proper care a self harmer needs. Mental hospitals can sound scary but admitting a loved one there could be the start of their recovery. Many people when trying to help do not always do what they think they should because of fear. Self harmers are often seeing as outcasts and having one in your family could bring the thought of shame if word gets out. These are common thoughts and helping someone could be done secretly but do not let those thoughts stop you from fully helping someone.

My Message

This is an extremely important and personal topic because I knew several people that would self harm including myself. The one aspect of self harm that I would like to convey to people is awareness. There are many misconceptions about people who injure themselves such as they are only seeking attention, but this was not true in my case and many of the people I know. Self harm should not be taken lightly and is a serious issue. Getting people to understand how to help is my goal because I know what it is like to want help, but don't know how to ask for it in a proper or direct manner. Helping can take a lot of extra effort, but like the self harmer is not truly alone neither is the person helping them.

Steven Gonzales

Kimberly Puentes

Works Cited

Gluck, Samantha. "Self Injury, Self Harm Statistics and Facts - HealthyPlace." HealthyPlace. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Nov. 2016. <http://www.healthyplace.com/abuse/self-injury/self-injury-self-harm-statistics-and-facts/>.

"Mental Health." Suicide Data by County. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Nov. 2016. <http://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/MH/Pages/CountyDataFiles.aspx>.