Self Harm Awareness Day

Will you see the emotional scars?

Self Injury Awareness Day
is today March 1, 2014!

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Self Injury Awareness Day - Self-injury or self harming is when a person deliberately hurts themselves physically to deal with the emotional pain they are suffering.

When it comes to self-harm, cutting is thought of as the main way people hurt themselves. But burning, bruising and scratching are amongst other methods used by people who are distressed.  Another misconception is that it's mainly teenage girls that use this coping mechanism - but it also includes people of both sexes and all ages, races and backgrounds.  So why do it? 

This mechanism can provide people with a sensation that 'breaks feelings of numbness'.  This emotional pain is caused by issues such as low-self esteem, trauma, perfectionism and abuse.   A person can go on suffering like this while telling no-one and feeling uable to break the cycle.  So how can you help and raise awareness? 

Firstly print out a fact sheet, depending on who you are and how you want to help.  From parents and friends, to pamphlets for males and teachers, there is unique advice available for everyone.  Hand these out, or pin them up and use the online templates to send letters off to radio shows or your local MP.  For more information, go to the Self Injury Awareness Day website.

*** Originally posted here ***

Interested in learning more about Self Harm? Check out this amazing book series, which focus solely on self harm.

The Silenced Series by RaeBeth McGee-Buda

Here's what some are saying about this page turning series... 

 "I think people need to read this book and get a perspective on what actually happens and how depression affects us all!" - Amazon Reviewer (Silenced)

"This is one of the most wicked books that I have ever read. Some of the scenes will make you shudder and want to throttle the main character to her senses."- Amazon Reviewer (Silenced)

  "The book in no way promotes self-harming and identifies some of the risks of it. As a parent it also makes you think about how when you think you are doing the right thing by your kids, it may not be what they interpret." - Amazon Reviewer (Silenced)

"I recommend this to anyone reader who loves Christian suspicion or just wants to read for fun."- Amazon Reviewer (Silenced 2: The Overtaking)

"I think I connected with Amber in a way, fighting the urge of being depressed and not always accepted by the ones you love. Sometimes it takes a tragedy to find who is true family and friends. Learning to love yourself for you and having faith you won't cave under pressure.
Out of the whole book the ending was my favorite, because it goes to show you can overcome all things through Christ.  " - Amazon Reviewer (Silenced 2: The Overtaking)

"The title of the book says it all. You can overcome anything through family, friends, support, and most of all Jesus.The ending was a great little twist for me and though it was perfect for this story. This author did a terrific job." - Amazon Reviewer (Silenced 2: The Overtaking)

 

Do I have you interested to read more?? Lets break it down and learn more about each book. 

Paperback Cover

E-reader cover

 

Book Description:

Amber Brown spent her entire existence believing Dave was her father. When her mother reveals this is untrue, she goes through an emotional spiral with depression. It's hard for her to believe her mother had lied to her all this time.

A move to a new home and town causes Amber to be consumed by her "darkness" and reverts to cutting to free herself from her pain.

When Casey, her new friend enters her life, she introduces Amber to parties, drugs, and Amber's new boyfriend Landon. The secret of cutting begins to take affect on Amber as she tries to hide it from her friends and family. In the midst of everything, Amber has the desire to find out who her biological father is.

Follow Amber through her trials of depression and cutting, along with the discovery of love.

Click here to Purchase

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Silenced 2: The Overtaking

Book Description: 

In life when one thing goes wrong, it can feel like everything goes wrong. Secrets come to the surface while friendships twist out of control, romantic relationships end, and even a dear loved one can die!

In Silenced: The Overtaking Amber’s life turns to chaos when she finds out Sarah, her childhood friend dies suddenly, her stepfather reveals another devastating family secret, and her boyfriend begins pushing her away.

After all the truth comes out, Amber turns to her darkness for comfort when her worst fear becomes reality. Her secret with cutting is discovered when she loses control and ends up in the hospital. Amber’s long journey to recovery begins with a battle. While she’s fighting her way to freedom, she discovers the one love she’s been missing her entire life.

Will Amber overtake her darkness of cutting or will the darkness overtake her?

Click Here to Purchase

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About the Author

Best Selling Author, RaeBeth McGee-Buda is resides in a tiny valley at the

ridges of the Application Mountains in Fairchance, Pennsylvania, with her husband and daughter, her dog, Cody, and her newest family addition, Romeow her pure white cat.

She’s been writing in some form her entire life, but loving young sister, Audra McGee noticed her talent, and gave her the reassurance she needed to start her writing career. After many months of deliberation, RaeBeth decided to trust her sisters word and expand her short story into what we all know and love as The Silenced Series.

RaeBeth is a mother to an angel in Heaven...Miss Dakota, whom she honored in Saying Goodbye Without Saying Hello. Her goal for her books are to inspire and give hope. She is a Christian author, who firmly believes in God and incorporates her faith into some of her work.

Author Links

  

Facebook | Blog | Twitter | Website | YouTube | Pinterest | Goodreads | Amazon | Authordb

Email

raebeth.buda@gmail.com

 

National Self-Injury Awareness Day

Welcome to The Writing World and our way of bringing awareness to such an important day. For those who don't know today is National Self Injury Awareness Day.

What is Self Injury (Self Harm)?

Self harm is any deliberate, non-suicidal behavior that inflicts physical injury to a persons body. It's essentially a way to cope that enables one to deal with intense emotional distress and creates a calming sensation. It can also be used as a way to "awaken" a person who feels numb or dissociated with the world around them.

Self harm has an immediate effect which creates an instant relief but it's only temporary. Any underlying emotions still remain. Over time, self injury can become a persons automatic response to ordinary strains of life and the severity of self harm can increase.

Self injury can affect everyone from all types of lifestyles. The age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or personal strength doesn't matter.

There are certain forms of self injury that are talked about more than others but if one has found a unique way to hurt themselves, it's still self injury. When one self harms, there's not a severity level or scale. Any type of self harm is "bad" enough for a person to get help. Every person who suffers from self harm deserves help. Some people often feel they don't deserve help and it can feel scary. It is essential to get immediate medical attention if a self inflicted wound seems serious.

Please be aware that self injury is normally a non-suicidal behavior and is NOT a way for a person to get attention. It's an emotional condition that deserves attention. Emotional distress and stress can lead to self injury and can eventually lead into suicide if not treated professionally.  

Ways to Get Help

 

If you self harm and are thinking of seeking help it can be really hard at first. One moment it may seem like it's easy to talk about at one moment and much harder the next. The first step you can take is to talk to someone you trust. This can be a close friend, family member, teacher, or counselor.  Remember when talking to this trusted person, it may upset them to hear that you self harm. They aren't judging you. It may upset them because they care for you and it hurts to know that you've turned to self harm for your emotional support. Give your trusted person time to "digest" what you are telling them. Then the both of you can create a plan for recovery. As an example, where to go for medical attention before a more serious problem occurs.

My Child Self Injures....What Next?

The first discovery of your child using self harm as their coping mechanism can be hard. You may feel a mixture of shock, anger, guilt, worry, and this can upset you. Try to remember not to panic or over react. Your initial reaction will have a great impact on your child. It may affect how much they're willing to tell you or even stop them from opening up to you. Each situation is different. The way you react can depend on several factors, which include your child's age, reason behind their self harm, and the way you found out. (Example: They came to you or you discovered their self injury by accident.) 

You may want to consider educating your self as much as you can on the subject to get a better understanding. Remember not to show disgust or anger, which can increase your child's emotional distress. From the start of you finding out, remember that you are NOT to blame for your child self harming.

Be sure you make it clear to your child that you are there to support him/her in any way. Acknowledge that self injury is a secretive behavior and the fact that you know about it can be overwhelming. Your child may need time to get used to the idea that you know before talking to anyone else.

Remember to focus on the underlying problem and not the self harm. Self harm takes time to give up. Be prepared for many months of recovery and don't ask them to stop. Do not prevent them from self injury by forcing them to stop and removing the tools they have come to rely on to cope. Before this can be done, a healthier coping mechanism must be found first.  

Offer to take your child to a doctor and even suggest your support by showing you're willing to go with them. Do not force your child. If they decline the offer of your presence at the doctor, respect their privacy and confidentiality. Never ask your child to see their self harm injuries unless you think it may need medical attention. This will embarrass them and cause them to become more secretive about their situation. Remember you want them to open up, not push you away!

Do not treat your child any different. They are still the same person you knew and loved before you found out about their disorder. Never treat your child any different around others. This too can embarrass them.  Encourage your child to seek healthier ways once a medical professional is involved and their openly talking about their self harm.

  

To learn more about Self Injury please visit the following website.  

National Self Harm Network

Looking to help spread the word about Self Harm?  The following are great books to look up and recommend to someone who may self harm or to anyone dealing with self harm in their family.

1. Silenced by RaeBeth McGee-Buda 

Paperback Available on Amazon.com

Ebook Version available for Nook and Kindle

 Amber Brown spent her entire existence believing Dave was her father. When her mother reveals this is untrue, she goes through an emotional spiral with depression. It's hard for her to believe her mother had lied to her all this time.

A move to a new home and town causes Amber to be consumed by her "darkness" and reverts to cutting to free herself from her pain.

When Casey, her new friend enters her life, she introduces Amber to parties, drugs, and Amber's new boyfriend Landon. The secret of cutting begins to take affect on Amber as she tries to hide it from her friends and family. In the midst of everything, Amber has the desire to find out who her biological father is.

Follow Amber through her trials of depression and cutting, along with the discovery of love.

 

 2. Cut by Patricia McCormick

Available in Paperback and Kindle

 A teenager’s attempt to maintain psychological integrity—the maladaptive coping mechanisms she uses as a way to stay alive and her path to recovery.

 

3. Scars by Cheryl Rainfield

Available in Paperback and Kindle

Kendra, a sexual abuse survivor, cuts to cope with the pain, but she doesn't remember the identity of who abused her. Kendra makes a friend in Meghan, and falls in love with her. When Kendra's abuser starts threatening her, she must find a way to face her past and stop hurting herself--before it's too late.

Original Post can be found here: The Writing World