|
A newsletter for the students, faculty and staff of the Collin County Community College District. Published monthly. For information or submissions, call 972.599.3142. Cougar News welcomes student and faculty submissions. Next deadline: January 10. All submissions are due by 5 p.m. on the due date. Photos cannot be returned. Text should be emailed to mrobinson@ccccd.edu or sent on disk. Please submit copy that is proofed, edited and saved in Word format. Cougar News staff: Lisa Vasquez, director; Mark Robinson, editor; Marcy Cadena-Smith, contributor; Stephanie Hall, student correspondent; Adriana Rodriguez, student correspondent; special contributors: Heather Darrow, Sonya Flaming, John Glass; Nick Young, photography and layout.
|  |
|
|
Self-injury: Help is just a phone call away
By Adriana Rodriguez
Student Correspondent
 To be angry, sad, furious, empty, just flat out depressed, and not have anyone notice may be one of the scariest feelings in the world. To act upon it harmfully unto yourself is even worse.
People who “self –injure” tend to fall between the ages of 13 and 30, but the reality is that anyone can do this to him or herself. Reportedly, this is a serious problem for an estimated 2-3 million Americans. While self-injury occurs among both males and females, research shows that females are more likely to self-injure themselves.
Victims of self-injury are usually described as “cutters” who inflict pain upon themselves in an effort to release feelings and emotions that they cannot feel. At times they cut themselves to control the emotions that they can feel in an attempt to control their emotions or the situations that they are in. They may cut themselves with a razor, scissors or pins. Others take it to more extreme levels of self-injury, like hitting their head against something or pulling their hair out. Although most people who self-injure are not suicidal, they may experiment with the feeling of near-death like “Kandy,” age 16.
“I played with death, too, putting a belt on the rail in my closet, putting my neck through and letting myself get close enough to dying so that my heart pounded in my head and I heard voices," "Kandy" said.
People who put themselves through this tend to have gone through a traumatic experience, and/or have intense feelings of abandonment or rejection. Most find self-injury soothing, preferring to feel physical pain over emotional pain, as well as to feel alive.
According to Linda Qualia, the college’s director of counseling, there are signs from people who self-injure. Some of the most common signs include preferring to wear clothes that cover all of the skin year-round, despite the weather; frequently getting scars from places unknown; constantly picking at skin or hair; and reopening wounds.
Self-injury is a cry for help without actually ever saying a word. Most people who self-injure may feel ashamed of what they are doing and do not speak up for help or seek it. If you know someone who is “cutting,” let them know they are not alone. There are many people, organizations and groups that can help. These resources may change a life.
Qualia recommends getting help from “someone they trust or who is close to them, like a professor, a counselor, a close friend or a family member.” Another resource is the website www.selfinjury.com, S.A.F.E. Alternatives (Self Abuse Finally Ends).
For more information, contact the Counseling Services Department at 972.881.5126. After 5 p.m. and on weekends, access the 24-hour Counseling and Crisis helpline at 972.233.2233. The crisis line is not operated by or affiliated with the college.
[PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION]
|
|
|
