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Adolescent Support Clinic
We Understand

"Supporting young people and families in Southend and Essex"

Young People (YP) & Self Harm

  Young People (YP) & Self Harm

Everybody’s talking about…self harm. Many professionals are telling us that they too have noticed the increase in this disturbing aspect of youth culture. There are many myths and misunderstandings out there. We hear so often that some people believe that this is a way of ‘attention seeking’ or it is assumed that there is a copycat mentality, particularly from postings on Tumblr; whilst this is undeniably true in some cases many YP have engaged in this behaviour secretly without previous knowledge of any one they know harming. We as therapists have also made our own assumptions in the past; assuming self harm is an expression of anger…. But we have learnt so much from listening to young people’s stories and whilst recurrent themes do seem to arise, the attitudes and ideas about Self Harm are as individual as the YP themselves…

…Some like to hear the tearing of skin, some need to bleed; others carve words of hatred into themselves like Tattoos. Some use cutting to feel. Some to numb some to express emotional torment into something physical- more tangible. Scars are important too. They tell a story, map a landscape, are wounds through which an individual can allow themselves self care and nurturing. They are ways of holding onto the rage of an incident long after, saying ‘my view matters’. Cuts have even been described in retrospect as body art –   ‘pretty and real’.

The following helpful ideas were brought to our awareness by L_ who has been using them with success! – Thank you

 

 

THE BUTTERFLY PROJECT

Top of Form

Bottom of Form

THE RULES:
1. when you feel like you want to cut, take a marker or pen and draw a butterfly wherever the self-harm occurs.
2. Name the butterfly after a loved one, or someone that really wants you to get better.
3. NO scrubbing the butterfly off.
4. If you cut before the butterfly is gone, it dies; if you don't cut, it lives.
5. Another person may draw them on you. These butterflies are extra special. Take good care of them.
6. Even if you don’t cut, feel free to draw a butterfly anyway, to show your support.

 

The Paper Chain Project

By: gravityhappens

 

This is a follow on from the butterfly project. The butterfly project is great for a short-term distraction, but sometimes when you’re recovering you need a little more. The paper chain project helps you to see your achievements over time - to see how your recovery is progressing and to see you grow...

 

THE RULES:

1. for every day you go without self harming, add a colourful link to the paper chain
2. If you relapse, just add a white link to the chain and carry on the chain without any disruption
3. Over time the paper chain will grow in length
4. And you can see your progress, and see that even if you do relapse, there are still days you go without hurting yourself; the colourful links.
5. Over time and through your recovery watch the amount of coloured links begin to increase, and the amount of white links begin to decrease.
6. If you feel like hurting yourself, look at the paper chain and realise just how far you’ve come and realise that if you’ve resisted before you can do it again                                        

 

For Concerned Parents:

S.A.F.E.

Support and Family Education

 

This series of 3 workshops for parents, are designed to build upon each other but can be attended as stand alone experientials.

Dates:  Sat 30th November & Sat 7th December

Time: 1.30pm — 4.30pm Fee: £40 per person, per workshop

Venue: ASC Clinic Lion House 36 Clarence Street Southend

 

The Adolescent world

Adolescent behaviour - what is to be expected?

In Their World: exploring physiology, culture & social media

Fears & Anxieties: a SAFE place to voice concerns

 

The Parenting world

Sat 30th Nov Workshop 2

Parenting Styles - What works for you & what doesn’t?

Communication - How do we talk about difficult things?

Connecting - Learning Active Listening skills

 

Bridging The GAP

Sat 7th Dec Workshop 3

Boundaries & Consequences: Limitation and Negotiation

Self Care: When there is no quick fix how do we look after ourselves?

Re-establishing Balance: Summary & Sharing

 

Return - Free of Charge

Feb 8th 2 - 4 pm to reflect & review

To register your place call : 07765 390614 / 07979 961479

or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

(some concessions available)

 

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