Self Harm Talk

[mmmiller]

I just finished talking to my 6th graders about self-harm and I'm feeling.... frazzled.

Over the last two days, the middle school staff noticed that many 6th graders had cuts on their wrists and arms. They asked me to come in a do a quick talk about it during 8th hour today. All of the talks went fine, but I'm still feeling shaken by this. The cuts are different than most self harm cuts I've seen - instead of many shallow cuts, these are one to three deep cuts. I'm concerned. Most of the staff was very concerned - it was encouraging to see how quick the staff brought up concerns and asked me to talk to the students. Even during the talk, a lot of the kids were genuinely interested. Some were surprised when we talked about the dangers. They had great ideas of different things to do instead of cutting.

I had several good friends in high school and college who cut. I was the go-to person for one of them. I helped her clean out her room of all sharp objects. I was the one she called instead of cutting. I was the one who told her parents when things went too far. I'm happy to say that now that friend is doing fine. She's found other ways to cope (some still not great, but definitely better than a knife). I also haven't talked to her in years. I betrayed her trust by going to her parents, and even though she can rationalize now why I had to, it ruined our friendship.

It's hard to see my students doing this. They are in 6th grade. They are 12. They have no idea how addicting cutting can be, how it can change them and their lives...

Stressful afternoon. Just needing a little debriefing session with people who understand.

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

debrief away! It is sometimes a tall order that we are served - and it is especially upsetting when something that can potentially be so dangerous becomes almost fad like in some areas (i am seeing more and more of this...) Your students are lucky to have a nurse with such real life experience in this matter - i hope that you got through to at least one of them

[everyday6/12]

Hi there...I couldn't resist to say something. Not only talk to the students but also have a parent meeting. Make parents aware of the signs and symptoms and keep them on the look out. Encourage them to talk to their kids daily....What ever it takes....they need to watch them closely. Middle school can be the introductory to emotional trials and tribulations....I wish you the best and thank you for being there for those darling children.....:redbeathe

[MinnieMomRN]

Kudos to you for the way you handled this in the 8th hour. I don't think I would have handled this nearly as well. I admit it scares the heck out of me that it is happening to a large group, and that the cuts are deep as opposed to the superficial cuts seen in typical cutting behavior. Do you have additional support from a social worker or school physician? It sounds like a lot for you to handle alone!

[intheweeds]

Great job! What a difficult and scary topic to talk about with such little kids. I agree with what the other posters have said--make sure there are meetings with the parents, and all kids who are suspected of cutting should be referred to a mental health professional (or their ped, who can find someone for them). It's scary how dangerous copy cat behavior can spread. Hopefully this stops right now!

[luv-of-kids]

I agree with notifying the parents. My kids schools always sends out notices for things like that. Also keep in mind at that age they are going through puberty and if kids have any type of abuse in their past, even if they went through therapy, it will usually remanifest during puberty. Sounds like you did a great job, thats a very difficult and heartbreaking subject to address.

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

Agree with all the above. I always involve guidance and we notify the parent and document the whole thing. Scary stuff....