Kelly Holmes and Self Harm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/4590655.stm
I think that Holmes has made a great contribution to the de-stigmatising self harm. So many people struggle with it, yet most people's attitude is, 'It doesn't happen to people around here', 'It doesn't happen to people like us', and society is unprepared to think about the issues and be challenged about how to respond to friends or family who are struggling with self harm. The fact is that self harm is a coping mechanism turned to by people in all sectors of society and we have to be aware of that and own it as a society and community so that people feel accepted, loved, understood and not judged when they seek help.
Yeah, some people will find it offensive. Some people find it offensive that I don't go out of my way to cover up the scars from my period of regular self harm. But what about the crucifixion of Jesus? That was a taboo thing. It was messy, it was offensive, it was outside of what people 'expected' from the Son of God, and yet we were forced to acknowledge it and embrace it as part of our faith. Something that was offensive and stigmatised was made very public, and left open a way of restoration for human society. My hope is that more people who have a history of self harm will be frank and honest about it. My hope is that this will lead to an issue that is met with confusion, disgust and taboo being de-stigmatised and owned by society. This will leave the way open for those who seek help to be treated as individuals, not labelled with 'metal health disorder' and hidden in a corner, for them to be treated with non-judgemental respect, which will ultimately lead to restoration.
So, a public figure and role model has revealed her struggle (however short term) with self harm. I'm sure there are people who will be struggling, angry, disgusted, feeling that this legitimises the behaviour, makes it an 'ok coping mechanism coz she did it' but I disagree!
"It's essential that self-harm is de-stigmatised. A good start would be to acknowledge the extent to which self-mutilation is part of contemporary culture." http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/conditions/mental_health
I think that Holmes has made a great contribution to the de-stigmatising self harm. So many people struggle with it, yet most people's attitude is, 'It doesn't happen to people around here', 'It doesn't happen to people like us', and society is unprepared to think about the issues and be challenged about how to respond to friends or family who are struggling with self harm. The fact is that self harm is a coping mechanism turned to by people in all sectors of society and we have to be aware of that and own it as a society and community so that people feel accepted, loved, understood and not judged when they seek help.
Yeah, some people will find it offensive. Some people find it offensive that I don't go out of my way to cover up the scars from my period of regular self harm. But what about the crucifixion of Jesus? That was a taboo thing. It was messy, it was offensive, it was outside of what people 'expected' from the Son of God, and yet we were forced to acknowledge it and embrace it as part of our faith. Something that was offensive and stigmatised was made very public, and left open a way of restoration for human society. My hope is that more people who have a history of self harm will be frank and honest about it. My hope is that this will lead to an issue that is met with confusion, disgust and taboo being de-stigmatised and owned by society. This will leave the way open for those who seek help to be treated as individuals, not labelled with 'metal health disorder' and hidden in a corner, for them to be treated with non-judgemental respect, which will ultimately lead to restoration.
posted by Nikki @ 1:57 pm
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