Cutting

Specialties School

Published

Hi all,

I am new to school nursing (worked L&D for 18+ years) and find it to be a challenge. I have a student (actually a few students) that exhibit self-harm in the form of cutting. It seems to me that this is "the new black". I had a pediatrician call me and ask if I had reported an incident to CYFD. This seems a little extreme to me. These behaviors are often a release mechanism and the student is enrolled in therapy to learn healthy coping mechanisms. How do you handle these situations? The student is 16 and lives with her adoptive father.

I work in a rural school setting...pre-k-12...380 students. I see 40-60 kids a day!

Thanks for any advise...

The behavioral health team decided that she should be seen in the ER to escalate Mental health treatment. We live in a rural area and it is sometimes is hard to get in to see a psychologist. Medically there was no need...

When the pediatrician called me to see if a CYFD report was made...I started to second guess what we had done...

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The behavioral health team decided that she should be seen in the ER to escalate Mental health treatment. We live in a rural area and it is sometimes is hard to get in to see a psychologist. Medically there was no need...

When the pediatrician called me to see if a CYFD report was made...I started to second guess what we had done...

Ah ha, that makes sense. It's unfortunate that sometimes we have to over-escalate things just to get appropriate treatment.

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

Don't second guess yourself. You got help for the girl. There'll always be someone, after the game is over, and the stadium is empty, to tell you how you should of played the game. Good for you - patient advocate!!

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Rarely is the cutting deep. Often it's extremely superficial. However, it is repetitive. Pics are often sent of the cutting- BY THE CUTTER- via Snap Chat to other kids, which increases the drama.

We had a student a few weeks ago who was a known cutter, had been getting all the help that was supposed to be given, and cut waaaaay too deep. She's alive, but it was close. She states she did not intend to die, just needed "more" from the cutting.

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Specializes in IMC, school nursing.

A great resource for mental health issues is NAMI.org. It goes into detail for all mental health issues and gives a good foundation for issues we may not see a lot and be uncomfortable with. NIMH.gov has pamphlets available for bullet point reference.

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Rarely is the cutting here deep. Often it's extremely superficial. However, it is repetitive. Pics are often sent of the cutting- BY THE CUTTER- via Snap Chat to other kids, which increases the drama.

We had a student a few weeks ago who was a known cutter, had been getting all the help that was supposed to be given, and cut waaaaay too deep. She's alive, but it was close. She states she did not intend to die, just needed "more" from the cutting.

WoW so scary, that is what I worry about. These kids do not understand the seriousness of their actions. I am new to school nursing and did not know that "cutting" has become so "common". Doing research I found some really good resources, but do not want to miss anything that could help these kids. The group of kids that have been cutting are all friends and when one starts it seems like others follow...

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WoW so scary, that is what I worry about. These kids do not understand the seriousness of their actions. I am new to school nursing and did not know that "cutting" has become so "common". Doing research I found some really good resources, but do not want to miss anything that could help these kids. The group of kids that have been cutting are all friends and when one starts it seems like others follow...

Oooh, you are not kidding.

Just wait until one of them gets pregnant.

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Specializes in School nursing.

I can't add much as other have made great points. Op, glad you got help for this girl.

Cutting is serious business. If I see it, the counselor comes in and we do assess for suicidal idealization. Sometimes it is there, but more times I haven't seen it. Stress is a trigger and as HS kids grow, they develop more and more stress - especially over college application, graduation, and post-graduation plans (as well as any other deeper issues on top of the typical teenage stuff). We had one student not cut for 4 years, then boom! senior year and that student started cutting again and often.

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Realize that it is not a suicidal gesture, but self mutilation. Many young people are involved in this behavior.

Cutting releases endorphins and can help one feel a "release".

But does that mean that we should just chalk up this behavior as "kids will be kids"? I care too much for my kids to ignore something like this. Maybe I am reading your comment wrong?

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Specializes in pediatrics; PICU; NICU.
It must be a fairly complex issue. Princess Diana was a cutter and she had everything. Too deep for my shallow mind.

As a former cutter, I can tell you it is very complex. When I cut it was for 1 of 2 reasons: to release pain or to see if I could still feel because I felt dead inside. It's far too complex to just "stop it".

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As a former cutter, I can tell you it is very complex. When I cut it was for 1 of 2 reasons: to release pain or to see if I could still feel because I felt dead inside. It's far too complex to just "stop it".

((((Poopy))))

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My best friend used to cut before it was called "cutting"

Found out way later that she was being sexually abused.

Release or no, I'm glad it's being taken seriously today.

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