As an NLP Practitioner committed to the well-being of children and young people, I’ve been increasingly alarmed by the rise in self-harm among this demographic. It’s a heartbreaking reality that demands urgent attention and proactive intervention. In this blog, I aim to shed light on the issue, exploring its various dimensions, particularly in the context of schools in Ireland and the UK, and how NLP can serve as a powerful tool for support and healing.

Did you know that girls aged 13 were four times as likely as their male peers to self-harm?

Self-harm rates among Irish young people ‘strikingly’ high – The Irish Times

The Rise of Self-Harm: A Troubling Trend

Self-harm among children and young people has been steadily rising in recent years, with Ireland experiencing its own share of this troubling trend. From cutting and burning to more covert methods like substance abuse and disordered eating, the manifestations of self-harm are diverse and often concealed. According to recent statistics, the rates of self-harm in Ireland have been on the rise, posing significant challenges to mental health professionals, educators, and parents alike.

Understanding the Issues in Schools

Schools serve as crucial environments where signs of self-harm often surface. However, addressing these issues effectively within the educational system presents its own set of challenges. Limited resources, stigma surrounding mental health, and a lack of comprehensive training for teachers and staff can hinder early detection and intervention. Moreover, the pressures of academic performance and social dynamics can exacerbate feelings of inadequacy and isolation among vulnerable young individuals.

Types of Self-Harm:

Scratching or Cutting: One of the most common forms of self-harm involves deliberately scratching or cutting one’s skin with sharp objects. This action may provide temporary relief from emotional distress or serve as a means of expressing internal pain.

Hair Pulling (Trichotillomania): Trichotillomania, characterized by the compulsive urge to pull out one’s hair, often leads to noticeable hair loss and scalp damage. Individuals may engage in this behavior as a coping mechanism for anxiety or stress.

Burning: Some individuals resort to burning themselves with cigarettes, lighters, or other heated objects as a way to alleviate emotional pain or gain a sense of control over their bodies.

Head Banging: Head banging involves repeatedly hitting one’s head against a hard surface. While commonly associated with young children, it can also occur in adolescents and adults as a form of self-soothing or sensory stimulation.

Biting or Hitting: Children and young people may bite or hit themselves as a means of releasing pent-up emotions or seeking sensory input.

Interfering with Wound Healing: Some individuals may engage in behaviours that interfere with the healing process of existing wounds, such as picking at scabs, reopening wounds, or preventing injuries from healing properly. This perpetuates a cycle of self-inflicted harm and prolongs physical and emotional distress.

Ingesting Harmful Substances: Ingesting toxic substances, medications, or non-food items (pica) as a form of self-harm can have severe consequences on physical health and wellbeing. This behaviour may stem from a desire to exert control over one’s body or as a manifestation of deep-seated emotional pain.

Excessive Exercise or Overexertion: Some individuals may engage in compulsive exercise or overexertion as a means of punishing themselves or alleviating feelings of guilt or worthlessness. This can lead to physical exhaustion, injury, and a distorted relationship with exercise and body image.

Skin Picking (Dermatillomania): Dermatillomania involves the compulsive picking, scratching, or digging into the skin, often resulting in tissue damage, scarring, and infections. This behaviour may be triggered by anxiety, boredom, or a desire for sensory relief.

Bone Breaking: In extreme cases, individuals may deliberately fracture or break their bones as a form of self-harm. This severe and dangerous behavior may stem from a profound sense of self-loathing, trauma, or a distorted perception of pain and suffering.

Reasons Behind Self-Harm:

Understanding why children and young people engage in self-harm requires a nuanced exploration of their emotional, psychological, and environmental factors:

Coping with Emotional Distress: Self-harm often serves as a maladaptive coping mechanism for managing overwhelming emotions such as anxiety, depression, anger, or trauma. Inflicting physical pain provides a temporary distraction from intense psychological suffering.

Expressing Internal Pain: For some individuals, self-harm serves as a visible expression of internal pain or turmoil that they struggle to articulate verbally. It becomes a way to communicate distress when words fail.

Seeking Control: In situations where children and young people feel powerless or out of control, self-harm can serve as a means of exerting agency over their bodies and emotions. It provides a fleeting sense of mastery in the face of perceived chaos.

Managing Sensory Overload: Certain sensory processing difficulties or conditions such as autism spectrum disorder may contribute to self-harming behaviors as individuals seek relief from sensory overload or seek sensory stimulation.

Social and Environmental Influences: Peer pressure, bullying, family conflict, academic stress, or societal expectations can exacerbate feelings of inadequacy and trigger self-harming behaviors as a response to external pressures.

The Role of NLP in Supporting Youth Mental Health

This is where Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) enters the picture as a beacon of hope and healing. NLP offers a holistic approach to personal development and transformation, empowering individuals to understand their thought patterns, emotions, and behaviours more deeply. Through face-to-face or Zoom sessions, NLP practitioners like myself can provide invaluable support to children and young people struggling with self-harm.

Building Self-Awareness: NLP techniques facilitate self-awareness by helping individuals recognize their triggers, thought patterns, and emotional responses. This heightened awareness enables young people to better understand the underlying reasons behind their self-harming behaviors.

Reframing Negative Beliefs: Many individuals engaged in self-harm harbor negative beliefs about themselves, their worth, and their capabilities. NLP equips them with tools to challenge and reframe these beliefs, fostering a more positive and empowering self-concept.

Stress Management: Stress often plays a significant role in triggering self-harm behaviors. NLP offers effective stress management techniques, such as anchoring and visualization, to help young people cope with overwhelming emotions and situations more effectively.

Building Resilience: By harnessing the power of language and communication, NLP empowers young individuals to cultivate resilience in the face of adversity. They learn to adopt more resourceful mindsets and develop coping strategies that promote mental and emotional well-being.

Conclusion: A Call to Action

The rise of self-harm among children and young people is a complex issue that demands a multifaceted response. By understanding the different forms of self-harm and the underlying reasons behind them, we can better support and intervene to address the root causes and promote healthier coping mechanisms. With empathy, awareness, and appropriate intervention, we can help children and young people navigate their emotional struggles and build resilience for the future.

As an NLP practitioner, I am deeply committed to playing my part in addressing this pressing concern. Through compassionate and tailored interventions delivered via face-to-face or Zoom sessions, I strive to provide young individuals in Ireland and Northern Ireland with the support, guidance, and tools they need to navigate their challenges and embark on a path toward healing and wholeness.

NLP4Kids plays a crucial role in confronting the challenges of self-harm in young individuals. By applying tailored NLP techniques and strategies, children are guided to explore and understand the emotions and circumstances that drive them towards these harmful behaviours. This method focuses on identifying the root causes and triggers, offering a compassionate space for children to express themselves without fear of judgement. Through the establishment of trust and open communication, practitioners are able to introduce healthier coping strategies, teaching children to redirect their feelings and responses towards more constructive outlets. The emphasis is on altering the internal dialogue from negative to positive, thus fundamentally changing the way children perceive and react to stress and emotional pain. The process is interactive and engaging, making it accessible for children, and ensures that they feel supported throughout their journey to recovery. By addressing these issues directly, NLP4Kids not only aids in the cessation of self-destructive patterns but also lays the foundation for a more positive and resilient future.

If you or someone you know is struggling with self-harm, please remember that help is available. You are not alone, and there is hope for healing and recovery.

By  Nicola McCay – Registered NLP4Kids Therapist

www.childtherapylifford-strabane.nlp4kids.org

Tel: UK (+44) 07879601659 or IRL (+353) 0873707433

Email: nicola@nlp4kids.org