Stigma Around Adult Self-Harm
Its not uncommon to hear about a teenager self-harming, and many children are beginning self-harming at younger ages now. Research has focused primarily on children and adolescents who self-harm, but its being discovered that more and more adults self-harm. Some adults never overcame their battle with self-harm, some adults reverted back to their old ways of coping, and some adults discover self-harm in adulthood. The problem that is arising with adult self- harm is that self-harm comes with a lot of shame for adults, and they often feel alone because adults rarely share their self-harm stories, but who can blame them the consequences of self-harm for adults can be much more drastic than the consequences for kids.
An adult who self-harm might feel like they could lose their children, their job, or their partner as a consequence of self-harm. This fear of being honest about their self-harming behavior can prevent them from getting the support that they need to overcome this battle with themselves.
What can we do? We can start talking about it. Lets be open and honest and help each other overcome this battle. Lets break down the stigma associated with adult self-harm!
@InvaderStitch - Such an important topic! I work a lot in the eating disorder forums and I think it's a really similar situation. Media shows a single model of what eating disorders and self harm can look like and it can feel really isolating to be someone outside of that model. I think that prevents lots of adults from admitting the problem and seeking help with it.
So...I guess I have no answers, but I agree that we need to think on how to tear down this stigma and help people recognize that this is an issue that touches such a wide population of people, all of whom deserve support!
I agree roo. There is so much stigma about it as people dont understand it. I self harm and have had the courage to ask for help but have still not recieved any i got the crisis number from my doctor to ring when i got the courage up to ring i got told because im only self harming and i am doing it cleanly and sufficiently looking after my wounds i am not priority.
If anything that phone call pushed me to self harm as i was so distressed and thought i would get help even if it was some one just to talk me down a little.
People need to be aware its not a choice is self harming and its not something that can ve turned off xx
@undefinedandundetermined01
I'm sorry to hear about your experience. That's unfair that the resources we're given minimize the problem. Self-harm is self-harm whether it's minimal or not, it's something that deserves attention and support for.
@Anomalia
Definitiely there is one "ideal" image for ED or SH and if you don't fit that image, you don't have a problem, right? Ugh! No so wrong. I'm hoping that people can start talking about the problem instead of kicking it under the rug as if it's not a problem.
@InvaderStitch Thank you for being so attentive and thinking outside of the box about issues that most people only see one main population being effected by! I'm sure your post is making adults in this population feel more validated and less alone - nice job! This is definitely an issue that needs to be destigmatized and better addressed by the mental health sector - any ideas on how we can do that?
@InvaderStitch @Anomalia
I think one of the big things is we need to make self harm, and other mental illnesses something that is talked about and not taboo, if people have more access to information about these types of things like self harm other might be able to understand more. I mean we see such a big issue with people here thinking self harm equals suicide and that's not true. I think in order to end stigma we need to break through that barrier of silence and being shush about things that effect so many people! I mean we openly talk about things like heart disease, Cancer, diabetes, and other health issues but not so much about mental illness which just doesn't seem right because mental health is just as important as physical health and we need to be healthy with both to survive and thrive!
Thank you for caring and supporting self Hermes 💙