My training in addiction counseling found me little prepared for the hurting hearts I would encounter on the job. From experience, I was prepared for new intake clients to challenge me when I went through their luggage and removed banned items. These included razor blades, along with mouthwash, hair spray, perfume, and other products containing the ingredient alcohol. However, on the first day of facilitating a support group, I was surprised when the psychologist instructed me to remove the small staples from the handout material before I gave them to each resident.
The perceptive therapist read my surprised expression and without me asking, “Why?” she offered.
“Because, Diane, some of our clients are ‘Cutters.’”
I knew the small silver staples would prick your finger if it didn’t close tight. But who would think so little of themselves as to use a small thin piece of metal to self-mutilate their body?
The sad answer is – a cutter would!
The purpose of Self-injury Awareness Day is to help people make the decision to be more open about their own self-harm. Awareness organizations also make special efforts to raise awareness about self-harm and self-injury. Some people wear an orange awareness ribbon, write “LOVE” on their arms, draw a butterfly on their wrists in awareness of “the Butterfly Project” or wear wristband or beaded bracelet to encourage awareness of self-harm. The goal of the people who observe SIAD is to break down the common stereotypes surrounding self-harm and to educate medical professionals about the condition. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well” (Psalm 139:14 ESV).
