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In recent months, we have received a large number of requests for resources on "cutting." John Stone, a veteran youth pastor and youth speaker, has done some research and recommended the following links which you may find helpful in dealing with this issue.
1.
www.battlecry.com/pages/understanding_cutting.php
Note from John: A distinctively Christian site that addresses this issue from a conservative,
evangelical stance. This has several practical advice sections including:
"Steps for Overcoming," "Action Plans," "How to
Help," and "Scripture List.." I've met Mike Guzzardo (one
of the founders of Battle Cry) and I respect who he is and what he is doing for
teenagers. Something for youth pastors perhaps? Interestingly, they
cite that 1 in 5 teenagers struggles with cutting, while other sites place
"self-mutilaters" at only 1-4% of the population. This would
seem to point to the idea (not surprisingly) that this is a predominantly
"youth" phenomenon.
2. www.twloha.com (To Write Love on Her Arms)
Note from John: A group that is Christian at its core, but
seeks to avoid this label in order to partner with all people who identify
themselves as broken and hurting. They partner with agencies such as
TeenChallenge and S.A.F.E (Self-Abuse Finally Ends). Facts about
self-injury can be found at www.twloha.com/page.php?id=10
I don't know if this site should be featured, but I know I have heard about it
in pop culture and it has its roots in music and MySpace. This would
likely give it credibility with a young person. Perhaps this would be
something a teen could check out.
3. www.selfinjury.com
Note from John: This seems to be a significant (if not definitive) site on the subject of
self-injury. From their site -- "S.A.F.E. ALTERNATIVES® is a nationally recognized treatment approach, professional network, and educational resource base, which is committed to helping you and others achieve an end to self-injurious behavior."
Packed with resources as well as treatment options, this
site would likely be a good one for a parent or concerned love one to look over
(www.selfinjury.org is
also a good site for information and understanding)
4. www.palace.net/~llama/psych/injury.html
Note from John: What I liked about this site was the fact that it was
easy to read and linked to a "quick primer" on self-injury.
Straightforward and easy to read, it was staggering that the counter lists 4.5
million people as having visited the site. Seems like the sort of site a
teen would gravitate to if they wanted to know more about self-injury or even
assess themselves..
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