Self-Injury Among Teens on the Rise;
A Suicide Risk
by Kevin Caruso
An increasing number of teens are engaging in self-injury. Teens are cutting or burning their bodies because they are depressed and
they want the pain to stop.
Many teens indicate they engage in self-injury activities to distract themselves from their problems and emotional pain.
Teens may use box cutters, razor blades, knives, broken glass, curling irons, irons, and many other items for the self-injury.
One teen who cuts herself regularly said, "I have 32 scars on my arms and legs. I don't want to do this anymore, but it takes the pain away. If I didn't cut myself, I'd cry, and that would be the worst thing.I always take a shower after I cut myself because they bleed a lot. Then I wear pants the next day to hide it."
As this young girl poignantly indicated, she wants her pain to go away. And the next step to try to make her pain go away could be suicide.
Students who cut or burn themselves probably are suffering from depression. And untreated depression is the number one cause for suicide. Thus, these students need treatment.
What can be done?
Parents, teachers, administrators, and students need to be alert to any cuts, scars, or bruises that they might see on a student's body. And any students who constantly wears long-sleeved shirts or pants, and appears to be covering scars or bruises, needs to be talked with.
If it is determined that a student is engaging in self-injury, then he or she needs to be given help immediately. The student needs to see a doctor and a therapist.
And parents, teachers, administrators, and fellow students need to give as much support
as possible to the student.
We all need to realize how prevalent self-injury is, and how dangerous the problem is.
And we all need to try to get help for all of the students who are hurting themselves.
If you are a student who is engaging in this type of activity, please reach out for help.
Tell your parents or a teacher or someone you trust about what is going on. Please
reach out for help. People care about you and want to help you, but cannot help you
if you don't reach out.
You can also call the self-injury hotline at 1-800-DONTCUT (1-800-366-8288).
Call now if you need to. Please. People want to help you.
Again, the self-injury hotline is:
1-800-DONTCUT
If you or someone you know is suicidal, please go to the Home Page of this website for immediate help.
Thank you.
I love you.
Take care,
Kevin Caruso
