** Health Resources ** "It is good to have an end to journey toward, but it is the journey that matters in the end." -- Ursula K. LeGuin -- *********************** Health Notes - Food Alert at Stella Maris - Due to student allergies, peanuts, fish and any foods containing traces of either are prohibited at Stella Maris Academy. We appreciate your co-operation. *********************** - Talking with Your Teen about Drugs - The Government of Canada has provided a Tool Kit to help parents, teachers and teens to be knowledgeable about drug use and the many risk factors involved. The kit is user friendly and very informative. The package is available at the Stella Maris Guidance Office or by contacting the Service Canada Community Office in Trepassey, at Tel: (709) 438 - 2221 or you may contact Health Canada directly at Tel: (613) 954 - 5995. *********************** Help is only a phone call away, contact Mental Health Crisis Line: 1-888-737-4668 or Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 *********************** Sexual Health Some of the websites listed below include information on Gender Identity & Gender Bullying in Schools - note the words in the verse below and remember to report all forms of harassment to a trusted teacher or to the Guidance Counsellor. Sticks and Stones May Break My Bones “Sticks and stones may break my bones But words could never hurt me.” And this I know was surely true And truth could not desert me. But now I know it is not so. I’ve changed the latter part; For sticks and stones may break my bones Bur words can break the heart. Sticks and stones may break the bones But leave the spirit whole; But simple words can break the heart And silence crush the soul. Herb Warren *********************** “People will forget what you said, People will forget what you did; But people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou *********************** Canadian Federation for Sexual Health EGALE Report Homophobic Violence, Period. Sexuality and U The Sex Information and Education Council of Canada Health Canada  ***********************  Safer Sex - Let's talk about it. See displays outside Guidance Office and in Student Room for more information. *********************** What is Anger? Posted March 18/11 Anger is a natural emotion. It's nature's way of telling us that something in our lives has gone haywire. Anger occurs as a defensive response to a perceived attack or threat to our well-being. In addition to psychological changes, like any emotion, anger is accompanied by physiological changes. When you get angry your adrenaline flows, your heart rate increases, and your blood pressure escalates. The phrase, "I'm so mad my blood
is boiling" isn't that far from true when you fly into a rage! If you want to find out some ways to deal with your anger, check out the following website: or chat with Mr. Sutton about ways to identify the root of your anger and some useful methods for practising self-control. All sessions are confidential. ********* Please check out these websites for other relevant health information and/or research. ********* The World Health Organization (WHO) Health Canada - Government of Canada The Public Health Agency of Canada The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Laughter: Recommended Dosage..., Once Per Hour. Laughter is the best medicine to pull you out of the blues. It can help you deal with daily stress at school, at work and at home. The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) 709 - 753 - 8550 The Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador (ASNL) http://www.autism.nf.net/ The Schizophrenia Society of Canada (SSC) The Tourette Syndrome Foundation of Canada (TSFC) The Bulimia Anorexia Nervosa Association (BANA) The Eating Disorder Foundation of NL The Centre for Suicide Prevention Kids / Teens / ParentsHealth Kids Health http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/ Allergy Safe Communities http://www.allergysafecommunities.ca/pages/default.asp Dealing with Depression Dealing with Cancer Controlling Anger The Benefits of Humour *********************** Drug Prevention Quit Smoking *********************** Drugs and Alcohol Addiction Help Oxycontin Information Health and Community Services – Newfoundland & Labrador The Community Youth Network British Columbia Mental Health Resource ********* Eating Disorders - check out the websites below for current information. Eating Disorder Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador National Eating Disorder Information Centre Teachers guide to teaching students with Mental Disorders Educator and Coaches Tool Kit - National Eating Disorder Association Healthy Weight Network ********* Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Info: ************************** SELF-MUTILATION   SELF-MUTILATION Definition: Self-mutilation is the deliberate and direct injury of one’s body, primarily through tissue damage and without suicidal intent. Who: Typically begins in early to mid-adolescence. The average age is 14 years old and continuing with increased severity into late 20s. Women are often twice as likely to self-mutilate compared to men, mainly due to the suppression of unwanted feelings such as anger and aggression. However, people who self-mutilate come from all walks of life, ranging from age, gender, occupation and ethnicity. Methods/How: There are many forms of self-mutilation. Below is a continuum of self-mutilating behaviors: 1 Scratching: Using fingernails, paper clips, pins, razor blades to scratch the skin, often to the point of
bleeding. 2 Picking: Consistently or continually picking at scabs, pimples or particular spot on body to the point where skin is broken and blood appears. 3 Rubbing: Using the finger or other object to cause a burn on the skin and sometimes bleeding. 4 Cutting: Ranges from superficial slices or cuts on the skin that do not need further medical attention, to deeper cuts that require stitches. Some have a specific object to cut with. Others use any sharp object. Cutting is the most common form of self-mutilation. 5
Carving: Using a knife to carve names or words in skin. 6 Burning: Ranges from rubbing the skin with hand/pencil eraser, to using a cigarette and/or lighter to burn the skin 7 Electrocuting: a new form of self-injury, where people hook up jumper cables to the car battery and jolting themselves. 8 Ingesting: Drinking a non-potable substance (such as toilet bowl cleaner) or swallowing non-edible objects such as pins, paper clips, or razor blades. 9 Breaking Bones: Ranges from breaking knuckles by hitting the wall, or using hammer to break bones, to purposefully falling down stairs or jumping out windows. Why do People Self-mutilate? : It can be difficult for those who do not self-mutilate to understand why anyone would want to intentionally harm themselves. For those who do self-mutilate there are various reasons for doing so. 1 Self-mutilation is a coping mechanism (albeit an unhealthy one). 2 Used to deal with overwhelming emotions, intense disassociation, invalidation and feelings of isolation. 3 Self-mutilation is a way of releasing emotional pain, often creating a physical sensation to associate with the hurt and pain felt inside. 4 Sometimes
people self-mutilate to feel something, in contrast to the numbness they feel inside. 5 People who engage in self-mutilating behaviours may have experienced sexual or physical abuse during childhood. 6 May have grown up in a family where it was difficult to express emotions freely, particularly sadness or anger. 7 Self-mutilation reduces physiological and psychological tension rapidly. 8 Those who use self-mutilation, whether abused or not, have typically been invalidated by others. 9 Neurotransmitters may be involved. Is Self-mutilation Suicide? Self-mutilation is clearly a dangerous behavior. However, a common misconception is that individuals who self mutilate are harming themselves in an active attempt to commit suicide. Actually the opposite appears to be true: self-mutilation is a recurrent failure to resist harming one’s body physically without conscious suicidal intent. Usually someone self-mutilates in order to feel better, and, usually, is crying out for help. Facts about Self-mutilation 1 Self-mutilation is an impulse disorder the same as eating disorders, shoplifting, and substance abuse. 2 Self-mutilators can have underlying personality or mood disorders and depression. 3 Self-mutilation appears to have a contagious affect, especially among youth peer groups. 4 Self-mutilation is a maladaptive mechanism by which individuals cope with painful emotions. 5 Behaviors often include cutting, burning, hitting, poking, hair pulling, and head banging; the most common expression is cutting. Warning Signs: Recognizing such behavior may be difficult because of the secretive nature of the behavior. However such signs may indicate other issues such as depression or abuse: 1 Frequent or unexplained scars, cuts,
bruises, or burns (often on arms, thighs, and abdomen) or broken bones (fingers, hands, wrists, toes). 2 Consistent, inappropriate use of clothing designed to cover scars. 3 Secretive behavior or spending more time isolated. 4 General signs of depression. 5 Social and
emotional isolation or disconnectedness. 6 Substance abuse. 7 Possession of sharp instruments. 8 Indications of extreme anger, sadness, or pain. 9 Extreme risk taking behavior resulting in injuries. Tips for Helping Someone who Self-mutilates: 1 Create evidence that positives exist. 2 Be patient. 3 If resistance is present, give opportunity to explain the same. 4 Be empathetic to emotional turmoil. 5 Be non-judgmental. 6 Offer support and validation of his/her
feelings. 7 Allow the person to express what s/he is comfortable talking about. 8 Offer to help the person find professional mental health support. If you or someone you know self-mutilates or uses self-harm behaviours please talk to Mr. Sutton or contact the following resources: Mental Health Crisis Line: 1-888-737-4668 Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 ___________________________________________________________________________ “A sense of humor is a major defense against minor troubles.” -- Mignon McLaughlin -- |