When we think about the issue of self-harm, most of us take a step back in confusion. Why would anyone willingly want to inflict pain on themselves? Isn’t that dangerous? What would I do if I encountered someone with that struggle? A few months ago, I shared about why people engage in self-harm behaviors and how to help them stop. In particular, that article touched on … [Read more...]
Why do people cut themselves? And how to help them stop
Self-harm behaviors can be a foreign concept to many of us adults, but they are on the rise among adolescents and young adults. The National Institutes of Health indicate rates anywhere from 7 to 24 percent in teenagers, but as high as 38 percent in college-age women.1 However, these self-harm behaviors are oftentimes misunderstood by those who seek to minister to them. Given … [Read more...]