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tw// self harm - coping with self harm being pointed out
struggling0_0
Posts: 182 Helping Hand
how do people cope with self harm being pointed out on an incredibly regular basis?
i understand that people are naturally curious n all that which is cool, whatever BUT what is not ok is noticing that someone has scars from self harm / fresh self harm (covered) and pointing it out in a bad way or to make a joke about it.
i have not made it through a day of college in the past 2 weeks now, this is the 3rd week now of it, without self harm being pointed out. i’m so so tired of it. it’s now not even just at college, it’s at other places too. i was literally sat on a bus the other day and these school kids (looked about 14-16) noticed clearly, they then said “let’s play a game, let’s see what animals we think everyone resembles on the bus” and said i looked like a zebra because my scars are like stripes. if your response is gonna be “aw they’re just immature school kids” then pls, don’t even reply at all because i don’t wanna hear that. yes they clearly are immature, however, at 14-16 years old you are well aware of what is right and wrong, you should know how to be respectful etc. yesterday at college i had the same person point it out twice within less than 10 mins - taking out break, our class was only 2 hours yesterday then that was us done for the day. today we have a long day though and im so anxious about it as i do NOT want it pointed out again. i wouldn’t mind if it was someone asking discreetly in a respectful way out of concern then that is absolutely fine, but that’s not how it gets done.
sorry i just really needed to get this out - i’ve never really experienced having it pointed out before, i would have the odd time across the past 4 years but recently it’s been constant.
*im safe btw*
i understand that people are naturally curious n all that which is cool, whatever BUT what is not ok is noticing that someone has scars from self harm / fresh self harm (covered) and pointing it out in a bad way or to make a joke about it.
i have not made it through a day of college in the past 2 weeks now, this is the 3rd week now of it, without self harm being pointed out. i’m so so tired of it. it’s now not even just at college, it’s at other places too. i was literally sat on a bus the other day and these school kids (looked about 14-16) noticed clearly, they then said “let’s play a game, let’s see what animals we think everyone resembles on the bus” and said i looked like a zebra because my scars are like stripes. if your response is gonna be “aw they’re just immature school kids” then pls, don’t even reply at all because i don’t wanna hear that. yes they clearly are immature, however, at 14-16 years old you are well aware of what is right and wrong, you should know how to be respectful etc. yesterday at college i had the same person point it out twice within less than 10 mins - taking out break, our class was only 2 hours yesterday then that was us done for the day. today we have a long day though and im so anxious about it as i do NOT want it pointed out again. i wouldn’t mind if it was someone asking discreetly in a respectful way out of concern then that is absolutely fine, but that’s not how it gets done.
sorry i just really needed to get this out - i’ve never really experienced having it pointed out before, i would have the odd time across the past 4 years but recently it’s been constant.
*im safe btw*
1
Comments
Personally, going through school mainly i wore long sleeves and always kept them covered so you couldn't see them. Its not always ideal when it's warm but it allowed me to almost get comfortable with them before talking about them.
In terms of pointing them out from younger people, I use to tell them that it shows i can fight and are just marks from previous battles, or if they are even younger - I was hurt by my cat they have huge claws - just so they don't ask too much etc.
If possible could you talk to people at your college staff and say that this makes you uncomfortable and maybe they can put out a post on social media or on what ever platform and say something about how to address that or where to go if you want more information on it/what to do if you notice them on someone - sorry if this makes no sense
I do hope that things get easier for you ❤️
Personally I found the older I got and the further I progressed in education the less they were pointed out
Take care @struggling0_0