I am conducting a survey for an essay I'm writing on cutting prevention, and I need all the input I can get. Whether you have known someone who has cut or have only heard of it, I would love to hear what you have to say about this.
1.What is your age and profession?
2.How would you define “cutting”?
3.Do you feel that you are qualified to speak on cutting?
4.Have you ever been around a cutter? If so what did you observe about the cutter(s) you knew? Do you think that you seeing their struggles effected how you see other cutters? If not, what would you expect?
5.Do you consider cutting to be a big issue in today’s society? How many people would you guess do you know who have struggled with a cutting addiction?
6.Did/would you ever consider cutting? Why or why not?
7.What would you say if someone came to you and told you they were considering cutting? What if they told you that they cut frequently?
8.Do you believe that educating teenagers/children of cutting would be beneficial? If so, how would you suggest it be presented? If not, what would you recommend we do to stop this epidemic?
9.Is there anything else you would like to say about cutting in today’s society?
I am 24, and an office manager, I hold a Bachelors in Business/Health Admin.
My definition of cutting is just how the dictionary would describe it: wounding the feelings severely, to penetrate with or as if with a sharp-edged instrument or object.
Yes, I do feel qualified to discuss cutting, as should everyone else who has experianced it or witnesses loved ones doing it. I have been around two cutters, my youngest sibling, and my best friend of 13 years. The coincidence is that my sibling use to babysit for my best friend and that is how she found out about. I will never forget she called me and told me she found a blood encrusted razor wrapped in a white wash cloth. I was shocked.
Then a few years later, I started noticing scars up and down my siblings arms, and wrists. Witnessing their struggles does not effect how I see other cutters. In this life I feel it is to short to pass judegment. Each one of us has a poision.. Theres just happens to be cutting. I have done a ton of research on it, and in Lehmans terms essentially it is that they feel they have no control over their lives, what is happening to them, and in moments feel so numb that it is a release to watch their own blood flow. It makes them feel in control.
I have NEVER, thought about cutting, I can't justify it and I am not that big on sharp objects. however, I have helped my sibling and my best friend stop cutting. My best friend has hideous scars on her chest, breasts, arms, inner thighs. Its horrible and tragic. When people come with me to discuss their issues, wether it is cutting, drugs, exc. to me it is a call out for help, and I help as soon as it happens.. in fear they will destroy their lives.
I do believe educating teenagers on cutting would be beneficail, I m sure in privacy many have already discovered cutting, its a more frequent happening. Especially with todays society;;; ie parents divorcing, drug epidemic, violent familys, alcoholism, a lot is out there and behind closed doors no one really knows what goes on, but under the clothes, the scars can't be concealed forever.
Stephanie
1. I'm a 19-year-old business major.
2. Intentionally harming oneself in an attempt to deal with emotional pain.
3. Heck no. But I will anyways.
4. I have. Cuts are usually organized or in patterns. One girl had three straight cuts evenly spaced. Another cut in the shape of a star. Also, they do not always try hard to hide it with clothes or makeup. Most act normally. And yes, it did. I still didn't see how stress would drive someone to cut, and so I thought a lot about it. Also, I realized how many people may be cutters without close ones realizing it.
5. I do. I suspect most teens have at least thought about cutting.
6. At points in my life i have seriously considered it, but chickened out for various reasons.
7. As much as I'd like to say I would tell them to get help or report it myself, I would probably walk away akwardly or try to talk to them about it, give up, and quickly change the subject.
8. Yes I do think teens should be educated. As to how it's presented, that's difficult. Most teens know what it is. I guess start with why teens cut, and help lines.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/tricia0711
1. I'm almost 21 and have a BS in Biology. I have no profession, so that's as good as it's gonna get.
2. Using a sharp object to inflict physical pain on one's self in order to deal with emotional pain.
3. Nope.
4. I haven't noticed anyone I've known. I suspect most act like regular people, except with scars that run more than skin deep.
5. I consider depression and that sort of general mental health to be a problem. I tend to go more towards preventing suicides than I do towards dealing with those with cutting or other problems dealing with their emotions. All of them need some help, though.
6. No, I have never considered it, and I doubt I ever will. I considered suicide for a while many many years ago, but I figured that would cause more problems than it would solve, so it was quickly discarded as a solution. I'm terrified of pain, so cutting would not be an option for me. I go towards the healthier ways of dealing with depression and poor self-esteem, like trying to associate with friends and writing. Of course, this probably contributes to me not knowing much of anyone with it, since I seem to be blissfully ignorant of things I've never done or considered myself.
7. If some random person did, I would be mildly concerned and suggest they find someone to talk about it with, because I'm certainly not qualified to. If it were one of my friends, my close friends, I would probably try to find the root of why they would want to hurt themselves, and do my best to help them through it.
8. Again, I think mental health issues in general need to be given greater coverage. Suicide awareness is at the top of my list, but cutting would likely rank up there as well. I'm not sure how it should be presented, maybe in just the way to offer a supportive atmosphere to help people considering it.
~C
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