The Inclination of Today’s Youths Towards Self-Harm

Warning signs for self-mutilation can be wearing covering clothing when it is warm out, and not letting people touch where they might be cutting themselves. It was once believed that people who self injure were just doing it for attention but recent studies have proven otherwise. A quote from the research from the CASE study in Europe stated that “The findings of this study show that adolescents who deliberately self-harm often report both cry of pain and cry for help motives. The majority of youngsters wanted to get relief from a terrible state of mind and/ or wanted to die with their act of self-harm. Although the study shows that there is also a cry for help, this type of motive seems to be less prominent than the cry of pain, which is inconsistent with the popular notion that adolescents deliberate self-harm is ‘only’ a cry for help (Scoliers, 2009). With this knowledge we need to make sure we help the children who are not only doing it to

A teen will show signs of depression or suicidal tendencies. Signs that show a teens depression are as follows: hopelessness, irritability, crying, anger, withdrawal from friends or family, giving prized possessions away, suicidal innuendos and changes in sleeping or eating habits. Now teens face many more difficulties than in the 1900’s (Smith, et al. 1-2). Suicide is plagued through bullying, divorce in the family, losing a close friend or relative or the thoughts that circle the brain daily. Suicide statistics have risen drastically in the past decade; in addition, since 2000 suicide has increased by 35% and since 1950, there has been a 300% increase in suicide rates (Dryden-Edwards 2). Suicide is the third leading cause of deaths in 10-24 year olds. Self-Harm is a way for a depressed individual to feel in control of the pain and/or numbness that is present during the numbness. Self-mutilation is the act of purposefully hurting oneself through the following: cutting, burning, biting, hitting, bone breaking, snapping a rubber band, pinching, kicking, punching and many more. However, this form of injury does not always occur on the wrist; it can appear anywhere on an individual (Dryden-Edwards 2). Record amounts of teens self-harm on places of the body where the wounds and scars will not be visible. Most people think that depression is depression, but there is a difference

Causes of suicide vary but as technology advances new causes are apparent. Social media plays a major role in causes of suicide. Technology allows cyber bullying to happen frequently and recur until something or someone stops it. Victims of bullying often think they have no way out of their situation or feel like there is no help. People with suicidal thoughts struggle either mentally, physically, or emotionally. “Three million children are absent from school each month due to bullying. Twenty percent of those bullied kids have suicidal thoughts” (Bullying and Suicide, 2016, p.1). Media’s such as snapchat, instagram, twitter, or facebook all provide factual information about previous cases of suicide. Cyberbullying is a serious problem especially among adolescent girls. Girls are more likely than boys to attempt suicide due to cyberbullying, because girls are struggling to find themselves as a person (Bichell, 2013, p. 3). Any form of negativity or put down affects them, and who they are trying to become.

“Why Teenagers Cut, and How to Help,” by Jessica Lahey was quite an interesting article to read. This article talked about many things associated with teenagers cutting themselves and how parents, teachers and other adults could help prevent teens from causing self-injuries such as cuts to the body. It first started with the author talking about a girl named Sarah that she met. Sarah was a 15-year-old teenager who was at the age of twelve causing self-injuries by cutting herself which she felt made her feel better do to one of her parents abusing her. The author used Sarah’s story to understand what causes teens to make self-injuries by asking “Dr. Michael Hollander who is the director of Training and Consultations of 3East Dialectical Behavioral Therapy program. This program is at the McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts. As a matter of fact, he also is the author of “Helping Teens Who Cut: Understanding and Ending Self-Injury” ().

Self harm is an mental health issue that not a lot of people know about. Self harm is “...the act of deliberately harming your own body, such as cutting or burning yourself” (www.mayoclinic.org). It is an issue that people do not like to talk about and especially in schools. Statistics showed that in 2014, 110% of teen girls per 100,000 self-harmed; and it has increased from 23% to 35% that teen boys self-harm (Michelle). Overall, about 15% of Canadian teenagers self harm (Kids Help Phone). Although many teenagers self harm, people do not think about if adults self harm. Statistics showed that in 2006, 54% of adults between the ages of 30 and 64 self harmed (Public Agency Of Canada). Those who self harm may be suicidal, but they do not

I used to be a cutter… but shh, don’t tell. Society didn't allow me to express my pain that way…Today’s society refuses to acknowledge many problems that teens deal with. People would rather believe in ‘happily ever after’ than face the truth, children are suffering. While it may seem to others that the problems are made up, its very real to the one dealing with them everyday. This suffering can leave permanent scars, and damage (if not ruin) their future. By remaining ignorant, self harm becomes more and more common, but at what cost? If educators and medical personnel were to be more educated on self harm and how to deal with it, teens and young adults would be more comfortable asking for help. Getttig rid of the stereotypes that

Teens and young adults resort to various outlets with hopes of coping with the pressures they face. Some stress-relieving activities involve eating comforting food or watching TV. For some, however, these activities do not provide adequate stress relief, so they attempt to escape their anxieties through a recently recognized self-mutilating disorder called “cutting.” While gaining more attention in recent years, cutting is still not a well-known practice, yet an estimated 700 out of every 100,000 individuals self-mutilate (Froeschle). Even celebrities like Angelina Jolie have admitted to cutting (Mann). The best way to discourage the practice of cutting is to learn more about

They also talks about the relationship between teen suicide and non-suicidal self-injury. According to the authors, suicide is a major public health concern in children and adolescents. “Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death among 10-24 year olds in the United States, and there is a six-fold rise in prevalence of suicide from childhood to late adolescence.” says Drs. Kim and Dickstein. Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSSI) is when someone purposely destroys their body with no intentions to die. For example, there can be cutting, burning, hitting, or biting oneself. Based on Dr. Kim and Dr. Dickstein research, this study was initially for adults, but now it’s a growing problem among teens. This source is reliable, because all three authors are well respected doctors and researchers. Currently, Dr. Kerri Kim is a clinical assistant professor of psychiatry and Human Behavior. She was awarded her PhD from the University of Kansas. On the other hand, Dr. Daniel Dickstein is an associate professor of psychiatry and Human Behavior, Pediatrics, and Diagnostic Imaging. He has a PhD from Brown University. Last but not least, Dr. Sara J. Becker is a clinical researcher and licensed clinical psychologist. She has the position as an assistant professor in the Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences at the Brown University’s Medical Center. She also have her PhD from Duke

In a sample of study among community adolescents currently engaging in NSSI, Deliberto and Nock (2008) studied self-reported motives for NSSI onset and cessation and found out that perception of NSSI being an unhealthy and destructive behavior showed as the most common reason for wanting to stop. Fewer participants reported wanting to cease NSSI engagement because of fear of humilitiation, unwanted attention, embarrassment, and frustration to family and friends. Markedly, adolescents who stated that they first encountered the idea to self-injure from a friend were more likely to want to stop for social reasons. Moreover, in a master’s degree thesis completed by Sugimoto (2005), the results of his study identified specific factors and underlying mechanisms

As the time goes by more and more psycologist and sociologists are concerned about the inclination of children and teenagers to harm themeselves. Self-harm which is the intentional self-poisoning or self-injury, with or without suicidal intent) in children and adolescents has been identified as a major problem in several countries. Much recent information on self-harm in young people has been based on surveys, usually in schools [3,4]. This has highlighted the extent of the problem at the community level. Most individuals who gain access to clinical care, however, have presented to hospital following-harm. However, only a minority of individuals who self-harm in the community present to hospital or any health facility .

One factor that might increase an adolescent’s risk of engaging in NSSI is to numb “emotional pain or emotionally painful event because they are feeling overwhelmed. Sometimes adolescents will do self-mutilating to bring themselves back to reality or alternatively to numb themselves.” (Laureate) in which case the may cut themselves using razor blades, erasers or even burning themselves by branding.

In The Cutting Edge: Non Suicidal Self Injury in Adolescence written by Janis Whitlock, shows a great point of view on this disease. Janis Whitlock PHD is the director of the Cornell Research Program on Self-Injurious Behavior in Adolescents and Young Adults, and a research scientist in the Family Life Development Center at Cornell University (Whitlock 2006). Whitlock explains the definition NSSI was developed by the National International Society of Self Injury. NSSI has various forms that can describe this addiction. Practices such as cutting, ripping, carving words or symbols into the wrists, arms, legs, torso, or other areas of the body are just a few ways to self- harm. There is also banging of the head or punching objects on oneself to the point of bruising or bleeding. Whitlock continues to state some bite to the point of bleeding, pulling out their own hair, eyelashes, or eyebrows with the overt intention of hurting oneself. Methods such as tattooing and piercings, are not viewed as part of NSSI. In addition, self -harm includes intentionally preventing wounds from healing or burning the

Different generations and different ethnic groups are involved when it comes to NSSI. There are numerous amounts of research to show the different sides of this disease. The research can sound contradictory on the topic, but in the end majority of the authors all draw very similar conclusions. “Young people and those who support them are increasingly aware of the practice of self-injury among adolescence” (Whitlock 2006). In The Cutting Edge: Non Suicidal Self Injury in Adolescence written by Janis Whitlock, shows a great point of view on this disease. Janis Whitlock PHD is “director of the Cornell Research Program on Self-Injurious Behavior in Adolescence and Young Adults, and a research scientist in the Family Life Development Center at Cornell University” (Whitlock 2006).The belief on this disease either is a suicidal attempt or

Self-harm is not exclusive to any age. Studies show that approximately 4% of adults engage in self-harm behaviors and as many as 38% of college students (Brown, & Kimball 2013). These behaviors typically begin in adolescents during or just prior to the years of high school. Some reliable studies of high school populations have found there to be a self-harm prevalence rate between 13-24% across the US and Canada (Brown, & Kimball 2013). Unfortunately, self-harm is continuing to grow. Similar studies have estimated that self-harm has grown by 150% in the past two decades (Brown, & Kimball 2013). For this reason it is important to help the public better understand the phenomenon of self-harm.

Cutting and other forms of nonsuicidal self-injury are incredibly prevalent among American adolescents, which creates a significant responsibility for youth ministers and workers who wish to serve and protect their students to the best of their abilities. Based on the previously discussed motivations that drive many young teens to cutting, it is apparent that adolescents possess a specific set of needs that must be met in order for them to feel safe and contented. The first and possibly most important of these needs is the desire for human love and relationships. While parental love and support is the most important and influential of these relationships, other relationships are important as well, such as friendships with peers. Teens also constantly seek for hope beyond