A blog from Marian, a Think Positive ambassador at Strathclyde University:
For self-harm awareness day, I wanted to take the opportunity to discuss some of the myths surrounding self-harm and reveal the facts. Self-harm continues to be an extremely taboo subject which not many people are comfortable talking about. The following is NOT intended to replace expert or medical information and the myths I’ve discussed here are based upon my own personal experiences.
Myth 1 – Only teenage girls self harm
WRONG. Self harm can affect anyone, of any age and of any gender. Whilst it is believed that females are more likely to self harm than males, this is thought to be because males engage in other behaviours which are classified as self injury, e.g. punching walls. These behaviours are no less concerning than self-harm and should be treated with the same concern.
Myth 2 – Self harm is only about cutting
WRONG. Although it is believed most people who self-harm do so by cutting themselves, this is by no means the only method of self-harm. 90% of young people who are admitted to A&E due to self-harm are there due to an overdose. Self-harm and self-injury also encompass a wide range of destructive behaviours, such as excessive drinking, drug-taking, starving one’s self, poisoning, hair pulling…there are many more.
Myth 3 – People who self harm are just attention seekers
WRONG. This is one of the most damaging myths surrounding self-harm. People self-harm for a variety of reasons, such as using it as a coping mechanism to deal with overwhelming emotions; guilt; anger; and sometimes, a cry for help. By labelling someone who self harms as ‘just an attention seeker’, the behaviour is stigmatised and the self-harmer feels more ashamed and less likely to seek help. This increases the risk that they will continue to self-harm and seriously injure themselves.
Myth 4 – People who self harm want to die
WRONG. Most people who self-harm report that they do so because it prevents them from acting on suicidal thoughts. They see self-harm as a way of coping with the negative emotions they are experiencing, but do not wish to die. That being said, people who self-harm repeatedly are at an increased risk of other destructive behaviours which may lead to them attempting to take their own life.
IMPORTANT – If you are worried someone you know may be self-harming, it is important you raise your concerns without being judgemental. People who self-harm often feel that they have no-one to turn to and are ashamed of their behaviour. It is upsetting to find out someone you care about is self-harming, but it is important that the person self-harming feels supported by people they trust. Encourage the person to seek professional help but remember, in an emergency, always dial 999.