The document discusses self-mutilation, specifically cutting, among young people. It provides definitions and background on cutting, presents findings from a survey of 30 youth on their awareness and attitudes. Key findings include that over 80% know someone who cuts, most common age is 16-19, and reasons for cutting include stress, attention, and depression. Dangers of cutting include infection, short-term relief followed by guilt, and increased suicide risk. Ways to address cutting include understanding motivations without judgment, offering support, and encouraging healthier coping strategies.

1. By: Benedict, Bradley, Calvin, Sin Long
“What are young people’s attitude
towards self-mutilation through
cutting?”

2. WHAT IS SELF-MUTILATION?
• Self-mutilation is defined as the intentional, direct injuring of body
tissue most often done without suicidal intentions.
• This is also know as self-injuring or self harm.
• Cutting is one of the many examples of self-mutilation.
DYK:The ORANGE RIBBON is a symbol adopted worldwide to promote
awareness of self-harm on March 1, 2012? NOWYOU DO!

3. WHAT IS SELF-MUTILATION?
• Cutting is an act whereby an individual runs a sharp object along a
part of their body, usually to the point of bleeding.
• Individuals who engage in cutting are often referred to as “cutters.”
• Injuries are most commonly inflicted on the wrists or forearms,
although cuts to the face, genitals and thighs have been observed.
• Self-mutilation through cutting is a form of Non-suicidal Self Injury
(NSSI).
DYK: March 1 is designated as Self-injury Awareness Day (SIAD) around
the world? NOWYOU DO!

4. IMPORTANCE OF ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE.
• Cutting brings about many harmful side effects which may
practically destroy the possible futures of individuals.
• Recent research have shown that there has been a significant
increase in the cases of cutting among young people especially
from the ages of 13 to 19.
• Thus it is only necessary that awareness of this issue be brought
up and is spread to the public.
DYK: Nearly fifty percent of individuals who engaged in self-mutilation has had been
sexually abused at some point? NOWYOU DO!

5. CONDUCTING A SURVEY
• A survey was being conducted on approximately thirty students
varying from the ages of 16-19 years old.
• Several questions were brought up to help us get a better
understanding of how aware students are of self-mutilation
through cutting and how they would handle situations like this.
DYK: 90 percent of people who engage in self-mutilation begin during their teen
or pre-adolescent years? NOWYOU DO!

6. FINDINGS FROM SURVEY CONDUCTED
DYK: 1 in 3 people who self-harm will do it again within a year? NOW
YOU DO!
88.9
11.11
QUESTION 1: DO YOU KNOW OF ANYONE THAT SELF-
MUTILATES THROUGH CUTTING?
Yes No

7. FINDINGS FROM SURVEY CONDUCTED
DYK: Celebrities such as Demi Lovato, Miley Cyrus and even Angelina Jolie have all been
victims of self-mutilation through cutting? NOWYOU DO!
12
84
4
QUESTION 2: FROM EXPERIENCE, WHAT ARE THE MOST
COMMON AGE OF CUTTERS?
Eleven to Fifteen Sixteen to Nineteen Twenty to Twenty-Three

8. FINDINGS FROM SURVEY CONDUCTED
DYK: Boys are more likely to engage in behaviours such as punching a wall rather than self-
mutilate? However, this isn’t always recognised as self-mutilation. NOWYOU DO!
9
16
53
17
5
QUESTION 3: WHY DO YOU THINK THESE INDIVIDUALS SELF-
MUTILATE THROUGH CUTTING?
Stress Attention Unexplainable emotions Depression Others

9. FINDINGS FROM SURVEY CONDUCTED
DYK: In the U.K., children as young as the age of 10 have already started self-
mutilating? NOWYOU DO!
55
15
25
5
QUESTION 4: WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU WITNESSED OR
KNOW OF A FRIEND WHO CUTS?
Stop them Ask them to seek professional help Talk and communicate with them Others

10. 1
99
QUESTION 5: WOULD YOU EVER SELF-MUTILATE?
Yes No
.
FINDINGS FROM SURVEY CONDUCTED
DYK:There was a 70% increase in 10-14 year olds attending A&E for self-mutilation in 2014 in
the U.K? NOWYOU DO!

11. DANGERS OF CUTTING?
• Self-mutilation through cutting can sometimes lead to serious
medical consequences, up to and including death.
• It is also often easy to misjudge the depth of a cut or end up with
an infected wound.
• The relief wanted or expected is more often than not short lived
and is usually followed by other feelings like guilt and shame.
DYK: Many of those who self injure report learning how to do so from pro self injury
websites? NOWYOU DO!

12. DANGERS OF CUTTING?
• Keeps individuals from learning better and effective strategies to
deal with their emotions and feelings.
• Puts them at risk for bigger problems down the line including;
major depression, drug and alcohol addiction, and even suicide.
• It has been known that people who self-injure have a much higher
risk of suicide.
DYK: Self-mutilation is more common in young people, women, gay and bisexual
people? NOWYOU DO!

13. WHO PARTAKES IN SUCH “PRACTICES”?
• Self-mutilation occurs across the spectrum.
• This behaviour is not limited by education, age, race, sexual
orientation, socioeconomic status or religion.
• Examples of people who cut would be those who lack skills to
express their emotions. These emotions tend to mostly be
negative.
DYK: All around the world, males who self-mutilate generally have more severe injuries
than females do? NOWYOU DO!

14. WHO PARTAKES IN SUCH “PRACTICES”?
• Reasons for having these negative emotions might be caused of
bullying, discrimination, stress, grief etc.
• Another example would be individuals who grew up in families
that discourage the showcase of anger and other feelings.
• Other examples would be people who have been physically or
sexually abused.
DYK: Self-mutilation can become an addiction to those who mutilate
regularly? NOWYOU DO!

15. WHO PARTAKES IN SUCH “PRACTICES”?
• Individuals experiencing serious illnesses or disabilities also do
partake in such “practices” as it affects the way they feel about
themselves.
• People who feel bad and dislike their own individual looks and
weight are also examples of people who engage in cutting.
DYK: “FAT” and “UGLY” are the two words most commonly carved into the bodies of self-
mutilators? NOWYOU DO!

16. WHY ARE SUCH “PRACTICES” CARRIED OUT?
• Reasons for self-mutilation are many and varies from individual to
individual.
• For some, cutting may be an attempt to affect others by
manipulating them, trying to make them care, trying to make
them feel guilty or, trying to make them go away.
DYK: Some research suggest that as many as eight million US citizens are currently self-
mutilating? NOWYOU DO!

17. WHY ARE SUCH “PRACTICES” CARRIED OUT?
• Others, it may be their method of seeking help in an indirect way
by drawing others attention to, their need for help.
• In other cases, some youths find cutting as a form of escaping
from emotional pain such as anger or anxiety or even pressure.
• Some young people also view this as a way to physically express
the pain buried inside them.
DYK: Phycologists all around the world are still struggling on whether to view self-
mutilating as a symptom or a diagnosis itself? NOWYOU DO!

18. WHY ARE SUCH “PRACTICES” CARRIED OUT?
• A commonly supported theory behind the motivation of self-
mutilation is that it is a way to achieve emotional equilibrium
(“emotional balance”).
• Cutters describe an increasing feeling of tension, which
immediately diminishes after the act of self-mutilation.
• In most cases the self-mutilation is not motivated by interpersonal
manipulation, but rather by the individuals’ attempt to manage
themselves.
DYK: Among all the other forms of self-mutilation, cutting is the most
common? NOWYOU DO!

19. WHY SHOULD SUCH “PRACTICES” BE STOPPED?
• It comes at a cost.
• Causes far more problems than it solves and brings about many
negative side effects on cutters.
• Research suggests that cutters are more likely to meet the
diagnostic criteria for depression than non cutters.
DYK: All around the world, self-mutilating is not seen as a suicidal
behaviour? NOWYOU DO!

20. WHY SHOULD SUCH “PRACTICES” BE STOPPED?
• Those who report that they self-mutilate also report feeling lonely,
sad, alone, and having poor problem-solving skills.
• Additionally, self-mutilation is highly associated with Borderline
Personality Disorder .
• Unlike tattoos or body piercings, self-mutilation is not a socially
acceptable cultural or artistic expression.
• Rather, it is an unhealthy effort to cope with overwhelming
emotions.
DYK: Each year, one in five females and one in seven males engages in self-
mutilation in the United States? NOWYOU DO!

21. HOW SHOULD SUCH “PRACTICES” BE STOPPED?
WITNESS’S POINT OF VIEW
• Deal with one’s individual feeling about self-mutilation.
• Some people may be disgusted, shocked or confused by self-
mutilators.
• Acknowledging one’s own feelings is an important first step
towards helping loved ones.
DYK: People who have a history of self-mutilation have a three times higher
chance to die prematurely than the general population? NOWYOU DO!

22. HOW SHOULD SUCH “PRACTICES” BE STOPPED?
• Learn about the problems these victims are facing.
• The best way to overcome any discomfort or distaste felt about
self-mutilation is by learning about it.
• Understanding why friends or family member is self-injuring can
help change one’s own perspective and see the world from the
victim’s eyes.
DYK: 13 percent of British 15- and 16-year-olds purposely injure
themselves? NOWYOU DO!

23. HOW SHOULD SUCH “PRACTICES” BE STOPPED?
• Avoiding judgmental comments and criticism will also help.
• This is because these remarks will only make things worse .
• Remember, the individual who engages in self-mutilation must
already feel ashamed and alone.
DYK:That the amount of people who self-mutilate in the U.S is nearly 120 times
the rate of suicide attempts and 560 times the rate of “successful” suicides. NOW
YOU DO!

24. HOW SHOULD SUCH “PRACTICES” BE STOPPED?
• Offer your support to them.
• It’s only natural to want to help.
• Inform the victim about your own availability.
• Thus she/ he has someone to talk to whenever she/ he needs
support.
DYK:Treatment visits for teens who self-mutilated have doubled over the past
three years? NOWYOU DO!

25. HOW SHOULD SUCH “PRACTICES” BE STOPPED?
• Encourage communication.
• Encourage loved one to express whatever he or she is feeling,
even if it’s something some might be uncomfortable with.
• If the person hasn’t spoken about their self-mutilation, bring up
the subject in a caring, non-confrontational way.
DYK: In the U.S. between roughly 2 to 3 million people, engage in self-
mutilation . NOWYOU DO!

26. HOW SHOULD SUCH “PRACTICES” BE STOPPED?
VICTIM’S POINT OF VIEW
• Take things slowly as it will be more effective.
• Replace self-mutilators with something less harmful.
• Wearing a rubber band on one’s wrist and snapping it whenever
the urge to cut arises.
DYK: Self-harm doesn’t feel nice at all, it just sometimes feels better than the
emotional pain an individual’s trying to hide. NOWYOU DO!

27. HOW SHOULD SUCH “PRACTICES” BE STOPPED?
• Penning down one’s frustration.
• Going for walks or deep breathing exercises.
• Helps individuals to release stress, anxiety and tension.
• Slowly but surely, individuals will come to realise how redundant
cutting would be.
DYK: Cutting vertically across your arm does more harm than cutting horizontally?
This is because your main artery runs “down the road” and not “across the street”.
NOWYOU DO!

28. CONCLUSION
Although cutting is not an act of suicide, it should be taken very
seriously. It is a very dangerous act which brings about many
negative side effects and may essentially cause individuals to lose
whatever future they might had have. Thus we must play a part to
spread the message and awareness of self-mutilation.