Bill Of Rights For People Who Self Harm

Preamble
An estimated one percent of Americans use physical self-harm as a way of coping with stress; the rate of self-injury in other industrial nations is probably similar. Still, self-injury remains a taboo subject, a behavior that is considered freakish or outlandish and is highly stigmatized by medical professionals and the lay public alike.

Self-harm, also called self-injury, self-inflicted violence, or self-mutilation, can be defined as self-inflicted physical harm severe enough to cause tissue damage or leave visible marks that do not fade within a few hours. Acts done for purposes of suicide or for ritual, sexual, or ornamentation purposes are not considered self-injury. This document refers to what is commonly known as moderate or superficial self-injury, particularly repetitive SI; these guidelines do not hold for cases of major self-mutilation (i.e., castration, eye enucleation, or amputation).

Because of the stigma and lack of readily available information about self-harm, people who resort to this method of coping often receive treatment from physicians (particularly in emergency rooms) and mental-health professionals that can actually make their lives worse instead of better. Based on hundreds of negative experiences reported by people who self-harm, the following Bill of Rights is an attempt to provide information to medical and mental-health personnel. The goal of this project is to enable them to more clearly understand the emotions that underlie self-injury and to respond to self-injurious behavior in a way that protects the patient as well as the practitioner.

The Bill of Rights for Those who Self-Harm

• The right to caring, humane medical treatment.
• The right to participate fully in decisions about emergency psychiatric treatment (so long as no one's life is in immediate danger).
• The right to body privacy.
• The right to have the feelings behind the SI validated.
• The right to disclose to whom they choose only what they choose.
• The right to choose what coping mechanisms they will use.
• The right to have care providers who do not allow their feelings about SI to distort the therapy.
• The right to have the role SI has played as a coping mechanism validated.
• The right not to be automatically considered a dangerous person simply because of self-inflicted injury.
• The right to have self-injury regarded as an attempt to communicate, not manipulate.

Bill Of Rights For People Who Self Harm

[Full Document]

© 1998-2001 Deb Martinson. Reprint permission granted with proper credit to author.

Image: Octupus Dancing by *Widyantara

Getting The Most Out Of Appointments

The hardest step, often is asking for help. Perhaps you've told a friend or a school counsellor. Though often willing they may not know how to help you. Talking to your GP is often a good starting point or phoning the mental health unit at your local hospital, many now have specific adolescent workers. Often we are afraid of being judged or decisions made that we don't wish.

Appointments with doctors, mental health workers, or other professionals may make you feel nervous. It’s easy to forget what you want to ask or to come away feeling confused about what was said. Appointments with professionals can be very short, and sometimes you have to wait a long time to get one, so it’s important to get the most out of every meeting.

You may find the following tips useful:

* If you make an appointment to see someone and you feel uncomfortable going on your own, take a friend or family member with you. They can provide support and help you remember what was said
* Before your appointment, write down all the questions you want to ask and make sure they've all been answered before you leave
* Write down the answers you're given. If you’re given the names of other people or organisations, make sure you write down the correct contact information
* There may be a number of support or treatment options available. Explain that you would like to know about all possible alternatives
* If something is said during the meeting that you don’t understand, don't be afraid to ask the person to explain what they mean
* Ask if there are any leaflets or other types of information you can take away with you
* If the appointment is with a mental health professional or counsellor you might want to see on a regular basis, use your first meeting to decide whether you feel comfortable with them and whether they are someone you think you could trust
* If you don’t feel that you are going to get on with a particular person or professional, go elsewhere. You have the right to choose. What matters is that you get the help you need
* Don't forget, you don't have to take any help or advice if it doesn't feel right.

The last 2 points are important to me. You are the consumer, Dr's are not Gods, and not all Counsellors suit all clients. If in anyway you are not happy, satisfied or confident in the person, then shop around but be clear with your motivations. I once didn't see a counsellor as all had told me 'This guy is tough but good, he can really help', I think I was totally scared it may work (if that makes sense) and I chose a woman who was nice but not really effective.

You need to keep thinking 'I am the most important here' but its hard at a time when you are emotionally exhausted and not feeling empowered. Being informed is one of the most important steps you can take both with SH and life in general. Take a friend who knows your needs, can help 'translate' or just repeat back what was said later, if this helps you.

[taken in part from: Self Harm.Org.UK