Self-harm cont.
It has been reported that there is a lot more work to be done in schools to improve the recognition of self-harm. That being said self-harming is typically noticed more in girls than boys, due to a higher prevalence of cutting in girls. Staff are less able to identify behaviours seen in boys such as head banging against a wall as self-harm (41). There are many reasons why a young person may engage in self- harm. For example, to punish themselves, to release temporary endorphins, to regain control from abusive situations, or to cope with emotional turmoil or distress from poor mental health, such as depression, anxiety, or psychosis. Therefore, recovery usually involves addressing both the behaviour and the underlying poor mental health which bring about the distress (275). Self-harm is not the same thing as attempted suicide. Young people who self-harm are at increased risk of suicide, however self-harm can often be a means of staying alive rather than ending life. Misconceptions about self-harm can prevent young people from seeking help. Misconceptions include that the young person who is self-harming is acting selfishly, doing it for pleasure, attempting to manipulate others, copying other people, or is part of a The Mental Health Foundation refer to the cycle of self-harm to illustrate how difficult it is for someone to break their self-harm behaviours by themselves. Self-harm may begin as a way to relieve stress, panic, or emotional pain. This relief is usually only temporary because the underlying causes still remain. Feelings of guilt and shame about self-harming particular sub-culture. The cycle of self-harm
Page 280
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker