Responding to and Understanding Self-Harm?

Self Harm affects 1 in 5 people in NZ

Types of self esteem - it can take many forms; 
cutting
self loathing
eating disorders
relationship destruction
drugs and alcohol
online behaviours towards self harming
burning themselves
hair pulling and scratching
biting nails til they bleed
repetitive attaching of injury or wound 
seeking fights 
staying in an emotional abusive situations

It can lead to an addiction!

WHY
- it feels good
- adrenalin rush
- relief - distracts me from other pain
- cyclic of highs and lows
- escapism 
- overcome sense of numbness form depression
- helps them to feel something again
- an emotion pain can't be seen - provides reality to their pain
-dysmorphia - feeling of completely worthless, not meeting expectations of family
- mutilation - "I'm ugly anyway"

Self harm is coping - suicide is the next step to end the pain permanently!

Self harm can lead to suicide!

Can happen with any age group! 
Self harm is not contagious but the talk is. 
How to self harm is accessible on you tube!



Steps you can take;
- ask that scars are covered so students don't talk about and keep others safe
- seek person to inform support buddy family informed 
- establishing positive mindfulness takes time and they need help. Can't do cold turkey.
- The way we respond to them is important. They cannot read emotions in heightened state. 
Say "I'm really glad you came to me - I'm not angry" 
Keep it together and don't show how you feel by what you see. 
"What was your intention here?"
"Who caused these marks, how long has this been going on for?"

Scribble book - using colour to describe how they are feeling for the day. 
Glitter bottle - relax breathing

B - bite your tongue
E - empathy
A - avoid argument
R - reflect - tell me why, what is the block?
S - self efficacy - what would you like to do?

Once family has been contacted you must always follow that up. There are many reasons for doing this. 

Its better to do something than nothing at all! 

Get them to a GP!

Who do we go to for help?

• Family GP
• Public Health Nurse
• Harakeke Counselling Team
• Private counselling service
• Youthline or Lifeline - weekend support
• Arowhenua Whanau Services