I think people forget awareness raising and stigma busting are different tasks, particularly the media. Going by those rates it is not uncommon. But if you were to then take the rate of kids who self harm for long than x period the rate will drop. Hell even asking if people use it as a coping mechanism will cause the rate will drop. I know about ten folk in real life who have self harmed, only for four of them is/was it a habit.

I think that de-alienating those for whom it has become a coping mechanism or habitual is more important that raising awareness that a lot of kids have done it once or twice.

As always I think true individual stories are more effective than stats. But for me I think that being able to say X% of 14 to 21 years have self harmed for a period of 6months or more is going to get more people aware of the problem.

The more people become aware it isn’t always transient the more difficult it is to claim that self injury is attention seeking.

Breaking down stigma comes from our end - by being able to talk openly and honestly about it. I am slowly realising that people who think they have a right to ask questions are normally the ones who understand least, we only break down stigma be helping others understand

Indeed, could be error, misquote…poor copy editing…

You know what I’d like to see? Being 37, I’d like to see some studies that show the “numbers” or “stats” of self harm etc… say from my teen years to today’s (i.e. that study, and I’m sure more that are being done as we speak.)

I mean, I arrived pretty late to the party. I did my first cutting at 28. However, I did do some minor head-banging when a young child. In between that, nothing.

Oh, and I finally got around to blogrolling you because I’m a slow, stupid arse.