I know this issue has been brought to attention many times already, but I must admit that I never thought it would happen to anyone around me. I was shocked at how well the victims of self-harm could hide their scars when I first saw the cuts on the wrist of one of my close friends. It still baffles me how someone who seems so outwardly blissful and normal could be suffering.
This goes to show that even the people we view as the happiest could be victims of self-harm. It’s important to watch out for the little signs, because so often we ignore clues that let us on about the happenings of someone else’s life. The girl who puts on a brave face in the morning, as if nothing was wrong, may very well have been crying herself to sleep the night before. It’s so difficult to help when you have no idea what’s going on.
If you notice uneasiness in the behaviors of a loved one, make sure to do your best to console them. Even if you can’t figure out what’s wrong, just know that your efforts can still make a huge difference. I know it’s all been said before, but wouldn’t it be great to know that you’ve made a positive impact on someone’s life?
If you know someone who suffers from self-harm, depression, or stress, please contact the following links.
http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
http://www.cmha.ca/mental_health/youth-and-self-injury/#.UXcquUrm8qM
To Write Love of Her Arm is an organization dedicated to helping people overcome depression and stress. Visit their website for ways to get involved and stop self harm. As cliche as it sounds, I think that if we tried, we can make a difference.