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Self-Injury : Cutting

Self-Injury : Cutting. A Workshop For Teachers. What is self-injury?. Typically refers to injuries administered directly to one’s own body such as cutting, burning, pulling out hair, scratching, hitting, or bashing, and swallowing dangerous objects. (Failler A. University of Winnipeg).

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Self-Injury : Cutting

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  1. Self-Injury : Cutting A Workshop For Teachers

  2. What is self-injury? • Typically refers to injuries administered directly to one’s own body such as cutting, burning, pulling out hair, scratching, hitting, or bashing, and swallowing dangerous objects. (Failler A. University of Winnipeg)

  3. 1. What is the most common form of deliberate self-injury? Cutting

  4. What is cutting? • Cutting is defined as the intentional harm to one’s body, in which cuts or scratches are imposed upon the skin using sharp objects.

  5. Why is cutting an important issue for teachers to be informed of? • It is very likely that in only a few years of teaching several of your students will display this harmful behaviour. • Cutting has become more prominent in adolescents within the past few years. (Possibly due to the media)

  6. Not Alone Brody Dalle Rickey Edwards Princess Diana Johnny Depp The list goes on… Fiona Apple Lindsay Lohan Collin Farrell

  7. 2. How many high school students display this behaviour? 11-20%

  8. 3. On average, what is the age category in which students would have their first incident of deliberate self-injury? 11-15 years

  9. Who is Cutting? • Cutting is primarily evident in adolescents • Has been observed in children as young as 6 years • The behaviour often carries on into adulthood

  10. 4. Deliberate self-injury is more common among female students. True

  11. Why are adolescents cutting? • It is often attributed to a lack of coping skills and is used as a coping mechanism to provide temporary relief of anxiety, depression, stress, etc. • After the skin is cut, the brain releases endorphins which act as the body’s natural pain reliever and temporarily reduces both pain and emotional distress. Because of this result, cutting can then become a physical addiction.

  12. 5. Students who deliberately self- injure, are usually suicidal? False

  13. Indications That Your Students May Be Cutting • Students wearing long sleeves and long pants in warm weather • Unexplained cuts or slash marks on skin • Mood swings (emotional highs and lows) • Students displaying low self esteem and energy levels

  14. Let’s Discuss! As a student who may be using this coping mechanism, how would you want the issue dealt with by your teacher? As teachers, how do you foresee yourselves dealing with a student who has told you they are cutting them self?

  15. What Can Teachers Do? Do’s • Consider the issue serious, you are NOT overreacting but approach the issue calmly • Acknowledge the student’s feelings and make yourself available to listen • Contact the school counsellor who will then decide if parents should be notified. • Offer to go with the student to see the counsellor or any other mental health professional. • Don’ts • Try and talk the student out • of it – you are NOT the • expert. • Try to keep the information • about a self-injuring student • to yourself just to honour • confidentiality. • Say /do anything to cause • the student guilt/shame (ie • “What did you do to • yourself!?”) • Discuss the topic in group • settings

  16. Developmental Theory • Brandy’s talk about developmental theory • BF Skinner • “Skin” is barrier/tie between internal and external pain

  17. As teachers, the best thing we can do is be aware and quick to refer for help.

  18. Additional Resources • Kids Health: http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/feeling_sad/cutting.html • PBS -The Emotional Life (3 episodes): http://www.pbs.org/thisemotionallife/series • To Write Love On Her Arms (TWLOHA): http://www.twloha.com/ • Mental Health Line: 1-800-779-5057 • Distress Line: 780-482-4357 • Crisis Response Line: 780-482-0222

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