by Liz Mitchell
Sophomore Zoe Royer self-harmed by cutting herself while in the eighth grade. She cut because of depression due to trouble with her parents and bad things at school. Her parents were notified by Center Middle School and she was in therapy then given medication.
“[Cutting] is self-harm that someone uses to release deep emotion,” said Royer.
Royer is not the only one. Self-harm is an issue among teenagers today. According to LiveScience.com, 46 percent of teens harm themselves purposely. Teens cut themselves with several different sharp objects on their arms, wrists, ankles, thighs and legs.
Teens do this for many of reasons, it’s not just depression. According to STA’s personal counselor Amanda Johnson, cutting is a response to what is happening around the person such as feelings of insecurity at home or school.
Additionally, TeenHelp.com says some of the reasons why teens cut are to express negative emotions, to punish themselves or to release emotional stress.
“Some students [cut] to feel something,” STA’s principal of student affairs Mary Anne Hoecker said.
STA has a way of helping students who cut. Hoecker said that students would not be expelled for this kind of behavior.
“We would talk with the student and typically [we would] encourage one or both of us to let the parents know because that is something we have to do,” Hoecker said.
After the student’s parents are notified about this behavior, the process of getting help will then begin.
“If that person seeks help, they are able to find new coping skills to express their feelings and emotions,” Johnson said in an email interview. “Cutting is an unhealthy behavior and therapy and counseling allows people to find new, healthy coping mechanisms.”
The student can get help. Royer said that when she got helped, she felt happier and felt that there were better way of expressing her negative emotions. There are several ways to be helped.
“I had counseling and medication,” Royer said.
Cutting is something that even celebrities deal with it. Stars such as Demi Lovato and Megan Fox have had issues with cutting.
In April 2011, Demi Lovato said in an interview with ABC news that she had issues with cutting and in an interview with Rolling Stone, Megan Fox confessed to cutting herself as well.
Royer got help and says she is happier now. Royer decided not to tell STA about her cutting problem because she wanted to start fresh. Royer has been clean sophomore year.
She says that her friends at STA have been more supportive than those in middle school.
“If there is anyone out there who is scared [of coming forward and getting help], just believe me, it is good to talk. It is scary at first, but it gets better.” Royer said.
Sandy • May 7, 2013 at 3:13 pm
Thank you for the information on cutting and its relation to depression. Many people dont realize that depression has so many different side effects. Many teens struggle with depression and need to reach out for help although it may seem hard to do sometimes
Natalie • Apr 5, 2013 at 6:24 pm
I think that while this could’ve been more uplifting, we as a society expect every article about mental and physical disease and disability to end in “it gets better” or “they’re so brave.” For some people, this is a life-long struggle that never gets easier, and it isn’t fair to expect everyone to follow our artificial expectations. So while I find this sad and distressing, it should be that way to show us how important this issue is.
I agree that expulsion should have never been on the table for this. It’s not going to fix depression to punish someone for it.
It was very brave to participate, Zoe.
Taylor • Apr 3, 2013 at 9:14 am
I do think, however, that this article should have been more informative and uplifting, there should have been more emphasis on the fact that it DOES get better.
as well as this, expulsion should not even be brought into the question when it comes to self harm. “this kind of behavior” did not seem accurate or very considerate.
Even so, i’m glad that this was written, it was very brave.