1. Take Quick Check 2. Read Cutting article located in the “Air Watch & District” apps - select “Content” locker - find new Cutting article 3. Send a Seesaw note about what interested/surprised you about this article 4. Take a picture of your “Life Card” if you are finished and post it to SeeSaw. (Open Camera roll in SeeSaw to find your picture) 5. Put iPad away and wait patiently and quietly for others to finish

By definition, self-harm refers to the deliberate harming of one's own body without the intent to commit suicide. The most common form of this behavior is cutting. Other examples: head banging/hitting (21-44%) burning (15 – 35%) scratching the skin picking wounds so they can’t heal biting or burning oneself banging and punching objects or self pulling out bodily hairs ingesting toxic substances embedding objects under the skin (70-90%)

The majority are teenagers or young adults. More women than men self-harm. They are of all races and backgrounds. Self-injurious behavior oftentimes begins during middle school, and young people are often introduced to it through peer groups and media outlets (e.g., music, television, internet, etc.).

.

Do not know how to cope in healthy ways. It can numb away unpleasant thoughts and feelings or they feel "high" from the experience. To express strong feelings of rage, sorrow, rejection, desperation, longing, or emptiness. Find it difficult to express anger toward other people, so they turn on themselves. Express internal feelings in an external way Feel a sense of control over his or her body, feelings or life situations

MYTH – People who cut and self-injure are trying to get attention. FACT - The painful truth is that people who self-harm generally do so in secret. They aren’t trying to manipulate others or draw attention to themselves. MYTH – People who self-injure are crazy and/or dangerous. FACT - It is true that many people who self-harm suffer from anxiety, depression, or a previous trauma—just like millions of others in the general population. Self-injury is how they cope. Slapping them with a “crazy” or “dangerous” label isn’t accurate or helpful.

MYTH – People who self-injure want to die. FACT - Self-injurers usually do not want to die. When they self-harm, they are not trying to kill themselves—they are trying to cope with their pain. However, in the long-term, people who self-injure have a much higher risk of suicide, which is why it’s so important to seek help. MYTH – If the wounds aren’t bad, it’s not that serious. FACT - The severity of a person’s wounds has very little to do with how much he or she may be suffering. Don’t assume that because the wounds or injuries are minor, there’s nothing to worry about.

Self-injury, like substance abuse and eating disorders, is a coping strategy used by people who are in emotional distress. Those who self-injure feel great amounts of pain and often, shame.

 Cutter misjudges depth.  Cuts can become infected.  Can become unintentionally compulsive behavior.  Severely affects self esteem.

 Make sure they know you care.  Encourage them to talk with someone  Get help from an adult.

 Deliver an ultimatum: “I won’t be your friend if you don’t stop cutting!”  Accidentally reinforce the behavior: Don’t reward drama with too much attention.  Don't join in: People can think by joining in they are being supportive…they’re not.

Psychotherapy (Talk therapy or psychological counseling) It can help you: Identify/manage issues that trigger behavior Learn skills to better manage distress Learn how to regulate your emotions Learn how to boost your self-image Develop skills to improve your relationships & social skills Develop healthy problem-solving skills Medications Psychiatric hospitalization

Tell somebody Identify what triggers your cutting behavior. Ask for help. Stay with it.

Demi Lovato Talks About Cutting Herself - 7 minutes