Student Self-Injury Joe Ray/Nancy Underwood Tombigbee Counseling Association September 30, 2011

Depression, Suicidal Tendencies, and Self-Injury Causes Causes Obsessive Compulsions Obsessive Compulsions Perfectionism (high expectations imposed by self and others) Perfectionism (high expectations imposed by self and others) Social isolation (not solitude) Social isolation (not solitude) Sensitivity/over-excitability Sensitivity/over-excitability Existential depression Existential depression

"The truly creative mind in any field is no more than this: A human creature born abnormally, inhumanly sensitive. "The truly creative mind in any field is no more than this: A human creature born abnormally, inhumanly sensitive. To him/her... To him/her... a touch is a blow, a touch is a blow, a sound is a noise, a sound is a noise, a misfortune is a tragedy, a misfortune is a tragedy, a joy is an ecstasy, a joy is an ecstasy, a friend is a lover, a friend is a lover, a lover is a god, a lover is a god, and failure is death. and failure is death.

Acting It Out-It’s My Fault

Creative mind (continued) Add to this cruelly delicate organism the overpowering necessity to create, create, create so that without the creating of music or poetry or books or buildings or something of meaning, his/her very breath is cut off from him/her. S/He must create, must pour out creation. By some strange, unknown, inward urgency s/he is not really alive unless s/he is creating." -Pearl Buck- Add to this cruelly delicate organism the overpowering necessity to create, create, create so that without the creating of music or poetry or books or buildings or something of meaning, his/her very breath is cut off from him/her. S/He must create, must pour out creation. By some strange, unknown, inward urgency s/he is not really alive unless s/he is creating." -Pearl Buck-

Misconceptions about Stress I can think myself out of feeling bad. I can think myself out of feeling bad. I must be crazy for thinking/feeling the way I do. I must be crazy for thinking/feeling the way I do. If I keep busy, I’ll eventually feel better about myself. If I keep busy, I’ll eventually feel better about myself. If I tell anyone about how I feel, he/she won’t care, understand or support me. If I tell anyone about how I feel, he/she won’t care, understand or support me. I need to handle these fears and problems by myself. (Asking for help = dumb, incompetent, …) I need to handle these fears and problems by myself. (Asking for help = dumb, incompetent, …) It is not okay to cry. It is not okay to cry.

Misconceptions (continued) If I can get through today, tomorrow is bound to be better. If I can get through today, tomorrow is bound to be better. I should be able to figure things out by myself. I should be able to figure things out by myself. Life is so serious. Life is so serious. All I need is to be left alone for a while. All I need is to be left alone for a while. I don’t have time to eat right, relax, or play. I don’t have time to eat right, relax, or play. Other people know what is best for me. Other people know what is best for me.

Coping with Stress

Distraction (short term diversion) Distraction (short term diversion) Avoidance (distractions carried to an extreme) Avoidance (distractions carried to an extreme) Be careful with over doing it Be careful with over doing it Procrastination Procrastination Illness Illness Sleep Sleep Withdrawal Withdrawal Escape (avoidance carried to an extreme) Escape (avoidance carried to an extreme)

When You Can’t Cope Admit that you are in trouble – this is a sign that you are a psychologically strong person. Admit that you are in trouble – this is a sign that you are a psychologically strong person. Get another perspective. Get another perspective. Cease negative coping behaviors. Cease negative coping behaviors. Reach out and trust someone. Reach out and trust someone. Plan to deal with personal issues. Plan to deal with personal issues. Be good to yourself. Be good to yourself. Believe in life’s goodness. Believe in life’s goodness.

Stress

Counseling Goals Understanding of their strengths and weaknesses Understanding of their strengths and weaknesses Self-acceptance and recognition of their limitations Commitment to nurturing their abilities Self-acceptance and recognition of their limitations Commitment to nurturing their abilities Development of internal locus of control Development of internal locus of control Acceptance of mistakes as learning experiences Acceptance of mistakes as learning experiences Conflict resolution skills Conflict resolution skills

Counseling goals (continued) Problem-solving skills Problem-solving skills Awareness, understanding, and acceptance of others Awareness, understanding, and acceptance of others Communication skills Communication skills Ability to be assertive rather than aggressive Ability to be assertive rather than aggressive Interpersonal skills Interpersonal skills Leadership and decision-making skills Leadership and decision-making skills Knowledge of stress reduction techniques Knowledge of stress reduction techniques Ability to view themselves and events with humor Ability to view themselves and events with humor

Stress Test This is a simple test designed to indicate whether people have too much stress in their life. This is a simple test designed to indicate whether people have too much stress in their life. Below is a picture of two dolphins. The two dolphins should appear normal when viewed by a stress-free individual. This test is not accurate enough to pick up mild stress levels. Below is a picture of two dolphins. The two dolphins should appear normal when viewed by a stress-free individual. This test is not accurate enough to pick up mild stress levels. Sit upright and view the screen head-on, take a deep breath, breathe out and then look directly at the picture. If there is anything out of the ordinary then you should consider taking things a little easier Sit upright and view the screen head-on, take a deep breath, breathe out and then look directly at the picture. If there is anything out of the ordinary then you should consider taking things a little easier

If there was anything that appeared different about the dolphins (ignore the fact of the slight color differences) it is often an indication of potential stress related problems. If there was anything that appeared different about the dolphins (ignore the fact of the slight color differences) it is often an indication of potential stress related problems. Differences, if any, may also indicate the source of your stress. Differences, if any, may also indicate the source of your stress.

Stress Reduction Tips Think of times when you successfully coped with a difficult situation, person, or event Think of times when you successfully coped with a difficult situation, person, or event Avoid alienating people around you (even if you erroneously believe they caused your stress) Avoid alienating people around you (even if you erroneously believe they caused your stress) Find a sounding board Find a sounding board If you don’t know how to relax, learn how (see handout) If you don’t know how to relax, learn how (see handout) Develop and maintain your sense of humor Develop and maintain your sense of humor

Tips (continued) Compile a library of stress reduction techniques Compile a library of stress reduction techniques Don’t give up: handling stress in on-going and long term endeavor Don’t give up: handling stress in on-going and long term endeavor You don’t have to go it alone You don’t have to go it alone a supportive adultthe public library a friendly neighbora stress management class a teen clinicyour favorite friend a crisis intervention cta counselor an emergency hotlinea teacher

Facts You Need to Know About Suicide Suicide is 2 nd highest killer of young people, years old Suicide is 2 nd highest killer of young people, years old Each year, estimated 500,000 youth attempt suicide Each year, estimated 500,000 youth attempt suicide During next 10 years, suicide rate predicted to increase fastest among 10–14 yr. olds During next 10 years, suicide rate predicted to increase fastest among 10–14 yr. olds Few suicides happen without some warning Few suicides happen without some warning Suicide is preventable Suicide is preventable Intervene Intervene Ask questions Ask questions

Facts (continued) Talking about suicide won’t give teenagers ideas Talking about suicide won’t give teenagers ideas Suicide is not inherited Suicide is not inherited Most suicidal people are not mentally ill Most suicidal people are not mentally ill People who talk about suicide commit suicide People who talk about suicide commit suicide Suicide is not just a way to get attention Suicide is not just a way to get attention Suicidal teens believe their problems are serious Suicidal teens believe their problems are serious Many things lead up to a suicide Many things lead up to a suicide

Facts (continued) No special type of people commit suicide No special type of people commit suicide People who attempt suicide are in most danger when they start to feel better People who attempt suicide are in most danger when they start to feel better A caring friend can make a difference A caring friend can make a difference

Warning Signs Sudden Changes Sudden Changes Food Food Sleep Sleep Grades Grades Appearance Appearance Activity Activity Withdrawal Withdrawal Significant loss Significant loss Tying up loose ends Aggression, rebellion, disobedience Self destructive behavior, risk taking Loss of self esteem

From Dictionary of Symbols by Jack Tressider (1997) San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books

Peace Signs Discuss with students what they do to bring peace into their lives Discuss with students what they do to bring peace into their lives Discuss symbols for “peace” Discuss symbols for “peace” Draw words pictures in 4 areas to represent your “Peace Signs” Draw words pictures in 4 areas to represent your “Peace Signs” Write about your “Peaceful Signs” on the circle Write about your “Peaceful Signs” on the circle