Alright, I’m doing a seminar on cutting and self harm for the RA’s in my university. I was wondering if anybody has any ideas on what I should include in this seminar and any ideas. I am planning to discuss the reasons for cutting and the fact that cutters are often isolated from peers due to misunderstanding of what cutting actually involves and the reasons that people cut. I think educating people on this subject is very important because there is a lot of misinformation on the subject. I think it is also important that people know this issue is out there, and since its not very socially exceptable and is sort of a taboo subject to talk about I think this seminar is a good idea.

Any help would be great

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just be there for you friends, its the best thing you can do.

Very true.

Alright, there isn't really much you CAN do about it except to continue what you're doing. Its up to them to come to the decision that they want to quit, you can't make them, and trying to force them will only make things worst. Keep being a good friend If you are REALLY worried about them, like if you think it could be life threatning tell an adult that can get them help. But thats the only thing I can suggest.

I cut since I was 16 I'm now 18, its a very hard thing to quit, but if you want to quit it is possible, just be there for you friends, its the best thing you can do.

Kay.. i have some friends that cut themselves.. and i am really starting to get worried about them.. like i know they have problems in family and stuff but is it that serious that they need to cut? i just.. i dont know what to do or how to help them.. ive tried listening to them talk but it still doesnt make any sense to me. they will tell me that they are ugly and that no one likes them and they have so much emotional pain and thats why they do it and it pains me so much... i want to see them stop.. they are all beautiful people and i just want to try and find a way to help them.. i wish they way they used to be when they were all cheerful and stuff.. do you have any ideas on what i could do to help?

It's a great idea that you are doing a seminar on this, I think it's important to adress every age. I believe that's a huge reason of being singled out as a cutter
Different ages accept in in different ways, and usually for the cutter this makes them enter a negative circle where they feel ashamed for dissapointing loved ones and continue to do so, on top of it being a self harm thing.

I think it's really important to mention in the seminar that the best thing you can do for someone who cuts is NOT alienate them, comfort them, let them know it is okay and many people do it all over the world and there is a lot of support and it's easy to get through too.

There is so much ignorance on this topic and for such a touchy emotional subject it's difficult to accept. It's great to spread awareness about it.

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I suppose.

Thank you.

clpo13 - smoking pot and drinking are both harmful to your body aswell, its just not so obvious. And councillors/psychatrists really only help to a point, really its up to the individual to make an effort to get through something like that. I'm not saying any self distructive behaviour is right, I'm just saying that society excepts smoking pot and drinking way easier than cutting. Cutting is very misunderstood and stigmatized and people need to be more aware that it is out there.

I suppose.

I agree that it is not how one should deal with their emotinal pain. It always leads to worst things in the end and you feel ashamed. But I believe that understanding it is the first step in the right direction towards guiding people to help those who go through this or for those people to be able to help themselves. Don't you think?

I will never understand why people cut. If you're fed up with life, why not get drunk like all the rest of the college kids?

I'm not condoning either, mind you, but drinking or smoking pot (two very popular activities in college) seem preferable to bodily harm in deal with your emotional pain.

Of course, psychiatrists and counselors work, too.

I see. Those are good things. I like playing the devils advocate.

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What about you YV...

Well, I would want them to know that sometimes cutting maybe just a call for help. Not all the time though. Some people wouldn't want you to know that they are doing it. I agree with you that it is a coping mechanism. Also, sometimes people do it because they want to know how far they'd actually go. Something else is that cutting can be addictive. When you cut your body realease endorphines which are the natural pain killers of the body. Some people may get addicted to this feeling, and so it could be harder to stop. You have to understand that not all cutters are the same. Some not only cut, but they also burn them selves and hit themselves. They inflict harm in many different ways, not just cutting. Make sure you mention this last one.

I would want you to understand that cutting, first off is not trying to commit suicide. That people who cut are just as intellegent and capable of doing things that other people are. That cutting can be a coping mechanism for a number of things.
(its too early in the morning for me to come up with much more)
What about you YV...

If I may ask, lets say I was not a cutter myself. What would you want me to know in order to understand someone who does? What would you want me to know that could change or give me a different perspective about this?

Thanks YV

I agree with you Triss. And I'm really glad you are doing this. Yeah, there is a lot of wrong information and ideas about this. Interestingly enough, my sister is doing a paper on suicide ande it touches some of this subjects. I use to be a cutter myself. And well to be quite honest I did it recently. It is not a good feeling. I did it because at the time I felt worthless and felt like I had to punish myself for being a "good for nothing" as I often called myself. And yes, if you tell someone that doesn't do this or that doesn't know much about it, they usually just freak out and try and stay away from you. Some get scared because they think you're dangerous. Others just get really upset with you and don't understand why you would cause any harm to your body. I personally understand when someone is going through this, because well, I went through it myself. I'm not saying that the behavior is a good one or that there is nothing wrong with it. People who go through this need help. And this is why I think that getting others informed is a good way to start. Many of this young people become isolated because others don't understand or misinterpret their situation. Perhaps with seminars like the one you speak of, we can help other people understand what this problem is about and what things they can do to help. The important thing is to be informed and to know what you are dealing with. Not judging the person would be the first step. Pointing fingers isn't going to get one anywhere. Good idea Triss.