Students Cutting To Relieve Stress?
In a study released today out of the UK, 46% of teachers stated that their students self-injured. http://education.guardian.co.uk/schools/story/0,,2266367,00.html
As an educator, I can attest to this fact and appreciate the causes identified behind this trend: increased peer pressure, bullying, dissolution of family relationships and an intensified focus on testing.
When I look at the stressors my students deal with today compared to those of my youth, it is striking how intense life today has become--for everyone. As a teen, I was socially isolated, and my home life left much to be desired, but school was a safe haven, an escape. I never recall my teachers being too stressed out or busy to talk. I never remember having to make an appointment to meet with my guidance counselor, and when I think of my principal, he knew my name and what activities I was involved in. School was a safety net for me and I relied on it to keep me sane.
But I fear the young people of today do not have that luxury. Teachers are bombarded with meetings, a rigorous standardized testing schedule, multiple duties both in and out of the classroom and tremendous pressure to "raise the rigor" while maintaining a low failure rate.
Students see this stress and feel the pressure to perform under incredible circumstances. Their futures it seem, are contingent on their ability to pass "just one more test".
It's no wonder self-injury is on the rise.
As was suggested in the article, schools must do a better job of creating and maintaining intervention programs for students.
Where can a student go for help? To talk?
Their counselor?
Doubt it. These poor souls have their time taken up with schedule changes and coordinating testing.
Their teachers?
Sure. As long as they catch them in the fleeting moments between hall duties, parent-teacher conferences, staff meetings, department meetings, attendance committee meetings, athletic practices, before or after school tutorials, etc.
I work very hard to be available for my students, but more often than not, my time is not my own. I serve many masters, and unfortunately, my students are not exclusive.
As research continues to reveal the increasing trends in self-injury, it behooves those of us closest to young people to take a step back and evaluate what we can do to assist them.
The future of our world is dependent on our ability , right now, to help young people find their place in the world and embrace it fully. They need to know that they are well-equipped to be the leaders we need them to be. They need to know how to deal with the stress in their lives without paying a high physical price for it.
As a cutter, I know what an arduous task this is, but a necessary one.
Cutting to relieve stress is only temporary and the stress of this world is permanent. If one is to survive life, they have to create stronger coping mechanisms.
Turning a blind eye to self-injury will do nothing.
Trust me, I know.
As an educator, I can attest to this fact and appreciate the causes identified behind this trend: increased peer pressure, bullying, dissolution of family relationships and an intensified focus on testing.
When I look at the stressors my students deal with today compared to those of my youth, it is striking how intense life today has become--for everyone. As a teen, I was socially isolated, and my home life left much to be desired, but school was a safe haven, an escape. I never recall my teachers being too stressed out or busy to talk. I never remember having to make an appointment to meet with my guidance counselor, and when I think of my principal, he knew my name and what activities I was involved in. School was a safety net for me and I relied on it to keep me sane.
But I fear the young people of today do not have that luxury. Teachers are bombarded with meetings, a rigorous standardized testing schedule, multiple duties both in and out of the classroom and tremendous pressure to "raise the rigor" while maintaining a low failure rate.
Students see this stress and feel the pressure to perform under incredible circumstances. Their futures it seem, are contingent on their ability to pass "just one more test".
It's no wonder self-injury is on the rise.
As was suggested in the article, schools must do a better job of creating and maintaining intervention programs for students.
Where can a student go for help? To talk?
Their counselor?
Doubt it. These poor souls have their time taken up with schedule changes and coordinating testing.
Their teachers?
Sure. As long as they catch them in the fleeting moments between hall duties, parent-teacher conferences, staff meetings, department meetings, attendance committee meetings, athletic practices, before or after school tutorials, etc.
I work very hard to be available for my students, but more often than not, my time is not my own. I serve many masters, and unfortunately, my students are not exclusive.
As research continues to reveal the increasing trends in self-injury, it behooves those of us closest to young people to take a step back and evaluate what we can do to assist them.
The future of our world is dependent on our ability , right now, to help young people find their place in the world and embrace it fully. They need to know that they are well-equipped to be the leaders we need them to be. They need to know how to deal with the stress in their lives without paying a high physical price for it.
As a cutter, I know what an arduous task this is, but a necessary one.
Cutting to relieve stress is only temporary and the stress of this world is permanent. If one is to survive life, they have to create stronger coping mechanisms.
Turning a blind eye to self-injury will do nothing.
Trust me, I know.