Self-Injury
Self-injury can be a way of expressing and coping with deep distress and emotional pain. As counterintuitive as it may sound to others, hurting yourself makes you feel better, by providing a release or distraction from emotional pain. However, the relief doesn’t last, and when difficulty feelings return, so does the urge to hurt yourself. Students who self-injure are often concerned about telling other people, including counselors or other professional staff, for fear of judgment or negative repercussions. At Amherst, we recognize that self-injury is not the same as suicidal behavior, and won’t force you to stop until you are ready and have developed other coping strategies for managing painful emotions.
- Your emotions feel overwhelming or unbearable
- You engage in self-injury, by cutting, burning, hitting, scratching, etc.
- You keep evidence of self-injury (e.g. cuts, scars, razors) hidden
- You feel embarrassment, shame or guilt about the self-harm
Resources
On Campus (413-542-extension)
- Center for Counseling and Mental Health x2354 (confidential)
- Dean of Students Office x2337
- Student Health Service x2266
Off Campus
Tags:
self-injury
self-harm
cutting