Be kind to yourself, self-harm is not a choice

• Main Author: Rais, Haniza
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd. 2021
• Subjects: L Education (General)
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/88754/1/88754_Be%20kind%20to%20yourself.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/88754/; https://www.nst.com.my/opinion/columnists/2021/03/669953/be-kind-yourself-self-harm-not-choice

Today, the 1st of March, is the World Self-injury Awareness Day (SIAD). This is the day we sit down and contemplate how difficult life can be to some people that the only way to cope is to hurt themselves. There have been misconceptions about self-harm or self-injury(SI) that has left quite a stigma in our society. Very often, life challenges, stress depression and anxiety lead to self-harming behaviours. You have probably never heard of SI before as self-harming behaviors are always swept under the rug, out of view. The acts themselves are normally kept secret and done in private. It is a taboo to many, and self-harm or self-injury always have negative connotations perceived as precursors to suicidal attempts. Self-harm is the act of deliberately injuring oneself. The behavior is also called non-suicidal self-injury, or NSSI. It is a sign of intense anxiety or extreme distress. Afflicted individuals self-injure themselves to numb the emotional pain with the hope of maintaining a feeling of control. Although the acts of self-harm do not indicate intent to end one's life, if left untreated for many years, it may endanger one’s mental and physical health. There are teenagers who chose SI as their coping behaviours in order to reduce the distressing affect (Roberts et. al, 2011). While SI is always associated with mental health issues like Bipolar, Borderline Personality Disorder, and others, the truth is SI can occur in people with or without mental health issues