Self-Mutilation in Young Adults
Eleanor Johnson
Des Moines Area Community College
One of the biggest mental health issues affecting young people is the act of self-mutilation or self-harm. Self-mutilation comes in many forms and it’s not always easy to see who is using this method to deal with their stress. People that are affected by this mental illness, are not always aware that what they are doing is really hurting them. Many young adults choose to harm themselves because they believe this is the only way they will be able to feel something besides emptiness. “There are no exact numbers for this largely hidden problem, but anonymous surveys among college students suggest that 17 percent of them have self-injured” (Brody, 2008)
Anxiety and depression are at all time highs when it comes to young people. It is easy to see that these mental health issues help to contribute to self-destructive behavior in young adults. There is so much expected of teenagers now that they can easily become overwhelmed by everyday life and turn to inappropriate coping mechanisms. Also the environment in their home life can be a big influence on their mood, attitude, and actions.
When faced with teens that are exhibiting signs of a mental health disorder it is often helpful to look into their home life and the way they act at school. Many times they will have issues at home and may not have proper brain development due to mistreatment by the parents. Teens with mental issues may act out at school or seem overly quiet when compared to their peers. They may also choose to wear certain types of clothing especially when they are trying to hide self-inflicted wounds.
Even though many people see self-mutilation as just a phase they need to treat it seriously and help to make sure that the individual gets the support they need. There are many different programs designed to help young people deal with mental health issues and teach them constructive ways to cope with stress. One of...