By Lucy Butler
First year Psychology and French student, Christy Ellis, has opened up about her issues with self-harming, eating disorders and body image.
First year Psychology and French student, Christy Ellis, has opened up about her issues with self-harming, eating disorders and body image.
In light of a recent survey, revealing that children as young as 11 are accessing photos of self-harm injuries online, Christy has revealed what triggered her to self-harm and what she thinks should be done to help those suffering. The 20-year-old Chester University student started scratching her arms until they bled at the tender age of six and began cutting at 10. She told me that photos she saw on social networks such as Tumblr weren't triggering in themselves. However, when she was in a bad place back in early 2012, shortly before a hospital admission, they wouldn't help. Images I viewed myself on Tumblr and Twitter were disturbing. Red raw scars on show, as well as videos of blood being drawn from a fresh cut. Motivational quotes were also prominent on social media, such as 'Love is louder than self-harm'. | Facts on self-harming images online
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Christy said people would post photos of their injuries in an almost 'competitive' way. The cyber world of self-harm was like an unofficial competition, she told me. People would try and outdo each other by who had the deepest or most scars.
"Others would comment on them saying things like 'I wish I could cut that deep' and 'how do you cut that deep' etc. Seeing photos of different types of blades would encourage me to branch out and try different blades other than razors and scissors."
She also admitted that her parents would have to hide razors and medication in the attic once they became aware of her habits.
"Others would comment on them saying things like 'I wish I could cut that deep' and 'how do you cut that deep' etc. Seeing photos of different types of blades would encourage me to branch out and try different blades other than razors and scissors."
She also admitted that her parents would have to hide razors and medication in the attic once they became aware of her habits.
But why do people self-harm in the first place? Christy said that for her, it was because she didn't know how to deal with anger as an emotion, so would punish herself for feeling that way. She said: "A lot of it is guilt for various things, again, cutting as a way of punishing myself. Sometimes when I can't sleep because I have thoughts running round my mind, I cut because the pain is something to focus on. It makes me feel calmer and helps me sleep." For others, self-harming could be down to poor body image, depression, being bullied or a side effect of an eating disorder. It is estimated that 80% of 18-21 year olds have self-harmed or know someone who has. |
In response to this, deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, has recently pledged £150million to go towards mental health treatment for children, as well as to decrease NHS waiting times.
He said in a press release: "Too often children with mental health problems are being completely let down, with many suffering from eating disorders that go unreported and untreated. We know that if an eating disorder goes untreated for more than 3 to 5 years the chances of recovery are greatly reduced, while incidents of self-harm increase."
I asked Christy how she thought the money should be invested, and she had a very clear idea. She said more clinical psychologists are needed as most staff working in adolescent mental health sectors are just councilors.
"Psychologists are better equipped to help teens who are really ill and try to keep them out of hospital. Also maybe have some group therapy sessions - like art therapy, anxiety and depression management workshops, body image - not necessarily to talk about their problems, but to meet others in similar situations."
"Mental health lessons should be mandatory throughout secondary school."
For the time being, Christy sees a clinical psychologist regularly, to help keep her on track to achieving her dream of being an educational psychologist.
He said in a press release: "Too often children with mental health problems are being completely let down, with many suffering from eating disorders that go unreported and untreated. We know that if an eating disorder goes untreated for more than 3 to 5 years the chances of recovery are greatly reduced, while incidents of self-harm increase."
I asked Christy how she thought the money should be invested, and she had a very clear idea. She said more clinical psychologists are needed as most staff working in adolescent mental health sectors are just councilors.
"Psychologists are better equipped to help teens who are really ill and try to keep them out of hospital. Also maybe have some group therapy sessions - like art therapy, anxiety and depression management workshops, body image - not necessarily to talk about their problems, but to meet others in similar situations."
"Mental health lessons should be mandatory throughout secondary school."
For the time being, Christy sees a clinical psychologist regularly, to help keep her on track to achieving her dream of being an educational psychologist.