Self-Harm – Why Do They Hurt Themselves?

Self-harm can begin as a means to control feelings of extreme psychological distress or deep emotional pain, and it refers to people who deliberately hurt their bodies by cutting, pinching, burning, biting, picking skin or sores, stabbing, bruising or punching oneself for an immediate sense of relief. These actions are not usually carried out for the purpose of ending one’s life and are rarely done to get attention from others.  More often than not the  injuries they cause themselves are hidden from view as they are not intended to be seen by anyone.

Self-harm is a temporary solution that doesn’t resolve underlying issues. Continual self-harm can become a dangerous habit leading to deeper mental health issues such as depression & anxiety and even result in unintended death.

While it can take time for this sort of behaviour to finally stop, there is hope.

Help For Self-Harm

It can be quite difficult to reach out for help due to fear of judgement and shame.  However, surrounding ourselves with trusted family and friends can get us started on the road to recovery.

With professional help we can learn to manage strong feelings and pain in ways to provide long term relief so that we don’t cause ourselves harm or injury. Intense and long -term  self-harm is often a sign that the person is injuring themselves has psychological problems needing the attention of a mental health professional who can equip others with coping strategies for dealing with difficult emotional situations such using treatments such as Resilience Training and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT).   Talk to your doctor.

If You Know Someone Who Self-Harms

Those who self-harm might be too embarrassed about their conduct to talk to anyone about it. Let them know you’re there for support in a non-judgemental way and express your concerns with love for their wellbeing.

• While you can’t always prevent someone from doing it, you can certainly call 000 for help if you suspect their life is in danger.
• Urge the individual to seek the help of their doctor.
• You might want to suggest options such 24 hr Crisis Help Lines or provide the name & details of a trusted mental health professional.

We Are Wired For Love!

Christian Neuroscientist Dr. Caroline Leaf says, “Instead of thinking of yourself as a poor old sinner saved by grace; rather think of yourself as a magnificent creation of God who has made some bad choices or experienced some knocks in life and who, through the grace of Jesus Christ, can choose to appropriate his grace and receive forgiveness and cleansing. This wonderful choice actually rewires the brain back to its original state each time we acknowledge him. This is where science and grace meet. You see – we are wired for love! And as we practice His Presence daily we step into our natural design, which is one of love and perfection.”

Sandra Ciminelli
Cred. Dip.Couns.(Christian)

Sources

Sane – Self Harm
Beyond Blue – Self Harm & Self Injury
Dr Caroline Leaf – Wired For Love

Where to Get Help

Talk to your doctor and see a mental health professional.
Visit CCAA to search for a Christian counsellor near you.
Visit ACA to search for a counsellor near you.

Studying at aifc

Have you thought about counselling?   It’s a great opportunity to learn how you can extend God’s love and grace to the hurting out in the community.

For those who would like to enrol in aifc’s accredited Christian counselling courses we have two intakes per year for courses commencing around the following months:

–The beginning of each year in February
-Mid-Year courses commence in July

Enrolment Season – opens approximately 2 months prior our courses commencing. Enquire now and fill out the form with your details to receive course information by email.  Enrol online here during our enrolment season.

Those living overseas can study aifc’s courses via our Distance Based Program.
The International  Student Program,  enables those with a student visa to Study On Campus in Sydney.

Note: A Master of Counselling course was introduced in 2018.

Contact aifc Monday to Friday from 9am – 5pm with your enquiries on 6242 5111 or toll free on 1300 721 397