The NHS is Not Coping

It has finally been brought to the attention of the national media that the NHS is not dealing with self-harm and self-injury cases effectively.  The Guardian, along with the BBC recognise the seriousness of the issue.  Follow the links for further information.


Step Up! International will be publishing our own research findings on the issue in September.

Understanding Self-Harm

Self-harm or self-injury refers to someone hurting or harming themselves.  In this context the term is referring to an intentional act.  In some instances it can appear to be done coolly, however it is usually done whilst in a state of high emotion.  This makes it a more relevant issue for midwives because during pregnancy there are many issues, both physiologically and psychologically, that may cause the emotions of the pregnant woman to be heightened.

For all people the act of self-harm is seen to affect the person in three main ways: The body, the self and society.  In the case of a pregnant mother these effecting factors may be intensified.

The Body

The dramatic changes which take place in the female form, enlarging its size and causing the body to be disproportionate can be a distressing time.  Babiker and Arnold (1997), found that many women perceived their own body as something alien and separate from themselves, with the introduction of pregnancy this is spiralled to an extreme perception.

Another factor is the loss of ownership of the body.  Another human occupying space which was once owned by the mother, and is now shared, can be a worrying physiological change to deal with for a woman.

The Self

The perception of the self can be altered by pregnancy.  It may trigger memories from past events which have influenced the mother, but have been stored away in memories.  Women that have been subjected to abuse in their earlier life may be forced to remember these old anxieties as they face the responsibility of having a child.

Babiker, Pontin, Cottrell and Oke (2009) refer to self-injury being used as a way of coping with sexual feelings.  They recognise that being pregnant is an overt signal of sexuality and sexual activity.  This can change a woman’s perception of the self because the perceptions of society may be altered by this knowledge.

Society

The Western culture that we are a part of places pressure to act and behave in certain ways.  The expectations that society hold of western women are increased when they are pregnant.  The expectation to look after the body, whether through the in-take of food or staying away from smoking areas, creates additional pressures on the mother.

The Psychology of Self Harm & Behaviour Course

For further information on prices and how the course could benefit you, click here.

The Effects of Bullying

It is a perception seemingly known by many, that the bully often goes on to bully others.  This is a perception often reinforced by Hollywood and the media, whereby the fall of the bully is shown through the bringing to light of his/her past.

As is often the case with Hollywood representations, this is not always a realistic portrayal.

People make unconscious decisions to either externalise or internalise their emotions.  In many situations, the emotions that result from being bullied are internalised, however, as pressure builds a release is needed.  An externalisation of emotion is needed.  This externalisation is manifested in many forms.  One example, as mentioned, is to externalise the emotion and to project negative emotions onto other people.  This is how a bully is often perceived; as projecting negative emotions onto other individuals.

The use of self harm as an externalisation of negative emotions, is generically less understood, and carries with it a high level of stigma and many more negative implications.  However, it is quite possibly a more likely result to inflict this externalisation onto the self than onto others.

Self harm as a result of bullying is an issue that needs to be addressed, especially in the context of adolescents as this age group is far more influential.

In relation to bullying as a cause of self harm, it is possible to note how self harm is a result of the external environment impacting the actions of an individual.  From this statement it is possible to apply this perception to other contexts.  It is made possible to suggest that self harm is a result of the external environment.

See Step Up! International's parenting blog for more articles on the effects of bullying.

Bullying and Self-Harm

An article in the British Journal of Clynical Psychology looks to prove the link between bullying and self-harm in adolescents.

FREE Health Exhibition

I have a HEALTH DAY exhibition coming up Saturday 19 June 2010 promoting self harm awareness for adults and young people. 

It’s at Menzies High School, Clarkes Lane, West Bromwich, West Midlands, B71 2BX. 

Do come along and find out more and tell others who might be able to benefit from this FREE event. Hope to see you there.

Meeting 'Her Majesty'

Got a meeting early July 2010 with HMYOI (Her Majesty's Young Offender Institution) in Kent with ‘Her Majesty’.

Tele-Seminar Part 2

Self Harm Awareness and Self Harm Training Tele-Seminar PART 2 taking place tonight at 20.00 GMT.

Self Harm and Suicide

The media has made it clear that in the case of Derrick Bird, self harm was no longer functioning properly as a coping mechanism.  His history of self harm was visible on his arms which were scarred with marks of his cutting.  He had reached a mental stage where he was no longer able to cope.  His coping strategy was no longer working for him effectively.  Bird had taken a big leap from having difficulties coping to being unable to cope.  The Express wrote on his attempt to commit suicide prior to his multiple murders and suicide.  This was prevented by friends.  

The question to be asked is when does the act of self harm become an attempt to commit suicide?  And how strongly are these two linked?  Is suicide a risk taken when self harming or is it the desired outcome?

The easiest answer would be to say that it is different for each scenario, which it undoubtedly is.  However, this question is one that should be approached, especially by organisations such as the NHS, who work to keep the nation healthy.  A one size fits all action will not work in such a complex scenario.   

If self harm was seen as an attempt to commit suicide in every scenario, this could cause further problems.  For many the act of self harm is used to cope with situations that are otherwise too difficult to comprehend.  

However, the case of Derrick Bird has brought to everyone's attention, the possible problems which can result from the provision of support being lacking.  Claims were documented in The Express that Bird visited West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven.  He was told that he needed to see his GP "for that kind of thing."  It seems that the NHS is not able, or ineffectively organised to deal with health issues that stem from the psychological.

In late Summer, Step Up! International will be publishing findings on the way self harm is dealt with in the NHS in the Birmingham area.

If nothing else the case of Derrick Bird demonstrates the need for an organisation like Step Up! International, a specialised company, equipped to deal with the issue of self harm from a psychological perspective.

Journal Articles

I have been invited to write an article for The Practising Midwife and The Royal College of Midwives journals. Deadline is early July.

Just 3 and a half hours until Part 1 of Self Harm Awareness & Self Harm Training. A Tele-conference/Tele-seminar for parents http://selfharmawareness.eventbrite.com

Tele-Seminar Tonight (Part 1)

Part 1 of  Self Harm Awareness and Self Harm Training Tele-Seminar takes place tonight. You still have time to join us. More info here:    http://selfharmawareness.eventbrite.com.  

Step Up! International is the first company to provide self harm awareness and self harm training for parents and their families. This is becoming even more crucial and the Derrick Bird experience is a classic example of it’s necessity.

‘Deal with yourself as an individual worthy of respect and make everyone else deal with you the same way’.    Nikki Giovanni

Could Derrick Bird’s actions have been avoided? Read more here www.stepup-international.co.uk.  Apologies for missing link yesterday.

Could Derrick Bird's Actions Have Been Avoided?

Today, eight services are being held in remembrance of Derrick Bird's victims.

Despite the horrific rampage that Bird took on the 2nd June, people are not taking the obvious option to demonise him.  Instead people are expressing shock that a seemingly normal man could choose these actions as an outlet.  A former work colleague, Les Taylor, said to the Guardian; "He was such a nice lad – I can't believe what he did".  The compassion of those involved was also shown in the 13 candles lit, despite Bird murdering 12.

Police have revealed that Bird had been self harming for a prolonged period before the 2nd June; it is expected to have been a number of years.  He was physically self harming through cutting.

Police have been investigating the relevance of self harm in the case.  They have been in contact with Steve Lax of Self Injury Support, who stated, "Self harm is a real indicator of possible suicidal intent. We have to have proper analysis to see if there were missed opportunities and in what ways in which Mr Bird might have been helped."

Lax indicates that this situation could have seen a very different end should Bird have received the right support.  However, the problem is that people are not always aware of the help that is available, or recognise the need for help.

At Step Up! International, one of the services offered by Jennifer Mcleod is support for parents, offering practical ways of dealing with potential and actual self harm, as well as managing dynamics in a family setting.  

For full details of what is offered by Step Up! International visit the contact page for information on how to get in touch.

BBC Interview

Contacted by the BBC today for radio interview regarding domestic violence within a relationship. Speak to them tomorrow. Will keep you posted.

Tele-Seminar - June 10th

Not long now to sign up for the Self Harm Awareness and Self Harm Training Course!


For more details and to register click here

Arsenal's Andrey Arshavin makes reference to self harm in a Q & A section on his web page.  Self harm can affect anybody, regardless of whether his intention was to reveal that he has self harmed or not, it shows the possibility for someone who seemingly has all they could wish for to still have emotional difficulties.

The reason why ‘Child Victims of Crime’ www.cvoc.org.uk is such a fantastic childrens charity for us, Step Up! International, to support is because we know only too  well the impact that crime has on children and in some cases, the self harming behaviour that ensues as a result. Not to mention the impact of other aspects of their emotional well being. Check it out and watch this space!

Alternatively, if families wish to attend our day Self Harm Awareness & Self Harm Training event, they can get more info and Book places here: http://parentselfharmtraining.eventbrite.com.  It is not just about suicide and self harm or cutting and self harm, people self harm for a variety of reasons and there are range of forms of self harm.