InTouch with Southern Kentucky March 2020 | Page 26

Understanding Self Awareness
March 1 each year has
been designated Self-Inju-
ry Awareness Day. This
day was set eighteen
years ago in 2002. What
do we know about Self-In-
jury? This is a topic that
is not discussed on a
regular basis.
Self-harm, or self-injury,
is the act of intentionally
inflicting pain and damage
to one’s own body. Self-
harm most often refers to
cutting, burning, scratch-
ing, and other forms of
external injury; it can,
however, also include in-
ternal or emotional harm,
such as drinking too much
alcohol or using to many
drugs or participating in
unsafe sex.
Self-injury can be
defined as a coping
mechanism. This coping
mechanism can enable
a person to deal with in-
tense emotional situations
by creating a calming sen-
sation. The injury itself
can validate a person’s
feelings by creating real
physical pain. This physi-
cal pain may be easier for
the person to cope with
than the hidden emotional
pain. Self-injury has an im-
mediate effect that creates
immediate relief from the
emotional pain. Howev-
er, the physical pain is
temporary – the emotion-
al issues are still present.
Overtime, self-injury can
become an automatic
response to every day
stress. This may result in
the self-injury becoming
more frequent and severe.
Self-injury affects people
regardless of age, gender,
sexual orientation, ethnic-
ity or personal strength.
Any person can self-harm,
but the largest percentage
of people who engage in
these type behaviors are
teenagers (17.2%) and
young adults (13.4%).
Parents if you find out that
your child is self-injuring
you may have sever-
al emotions. You may
experience anger, shock,
guilt, worry, confusion.
One thing to remember is
don’t panic or over-react.
The first thing to keep in
mind is that Self-injury is
a coping mechanism. It
is non-suicidal behavior.
And, it doesn’t necessar-
ily mean your child has
a mental illness. Chil-
dren and youth struggle
with home life, school,
peer pressures, bullying,
belonging, and in many
other areas. Children and
youth do not share with
parents what they truly
are feeling or what they
are struggling with in their
lives.
Signs that someone may
be hurting themselves
include:
• Having frequent cuts,
bruises, or scars
• Wearing long sleeves
or pants even in hot
weather
• Making excuses about
injuries
• Having sharp objects
around for no clear reason
Mental health counseling
or therapy can also help by
teaching the person:
• Problem-solving skills
• New ways to cope with
strong emotions
• Better relationship skills
• Ways to strengthen
self-esteem
Be aware that although
self-injury is non-suicidal
behavior, the emotional dis-
tress that leads to self-injury
can also lead to thoughts of
suicide. If you know of some-
one needing assistance with
self-injury please contact our
clinics for additional infor-
mation or to schedule an
appointment. The number
is 1-800-954-4782.
Respectfully Submitted,
Beverly Loy, LPCC
CEO
The Adanta Group
Resources: LifeSigns:
Self-Injury Guidance and
Network Support
Medline Plus
National Alliance on
Mental Illness (NAMI)
Adanta Community Mental Health
Center is Ready to Help!
If you are searching for help or would like more infor-
mation about services, call toll free 1.800.954.4782 x 0,
visit Adanta’s website at www.adanta.org, or Adanta’s
Facebook page at www.facebook.com/The.Adanta.
Group.
Adanta has been serving the Lake Cumberland area
since 1967, delivering quality services to meet the
needs of the people served. “Enhancing Lives” is the
Purpose of the organization, and serves as the beacon
for being a great community partner and resource
through its services, programs, outreach, and presence
in the Lake Cumberland and surrounding counties.**
Adanta is CARF accredited in Adult, Child, & Adoles-
cent Outpatient Treatment; Mental Health and Alcohol
and Other Drugs; Adult Mental Health Crisis Inter-
vention and Crisis Stabilization; and Adult, Child, and
Adolescent Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs;
and Prevention.
**Outpatient Clinics are located in the counties of
Adair, Barren, Casey, Clinton, Green, McCreary, Pulaski,
Russell, Taylor, Wayne, and Woodford.
26 • I n T ouch with S outhern K entucky 
Enhancing Lives
M arch 2020