Violence Toward Self
Violence Toward Self: Self Injury & Suicide
We are all familiar with the more commonly spoken of form of violence – violence toward others. But equally alarming and important to prevent – is violence toward self. Two of the major ways that students are harming 
themselves is through self-injury and suicide. According to a recent report in Time magazine, it is estimated that over two million Americans intentionally cut or burn themselves, break their bones, or harm themselves in some way. Life’s pressures, worries, and concerns are not only felt by adults, but by kids as well.
“You have so much pain inside yourself that you try and hurt yourself on the outside because you want help.” Princess Diana (1995)
Both self-injury and suicide are forms of violence toward self that have been highly misunderstood and fraught with stigmatization, making prevention, early identification and intervention challenging. We all deal with our feelings in different ways, but at their most basic levels, self-injury and suicide are methods of coping with emotional pain. A person who self-injures seeks to feel better through the self-harm, while a person who attempts suicide seeks to end all feelings through death. Unlike suicide, the intent of self-injurers is NOT death.
With regard to the issue of suicide, Broward County Public Schools has at each school a Suicide Prevention Designee. Below please find a few more resources that can be used as a starting point for your efforts to help prevent and intervene with violence toward self.
See also our related webpages on:
- Health and Wellness
- Project B.L.A.S.T. Counseling
- Violence Prevention Resources
- Reality Avenue show “Self Injury & Cutting: Where is the REAL Pain?”
Resources & Hotlines
Please Note: A program or website being mentioned here does not imply endorsement by the School Board of Broward County and does not necessarily reflect its views. Please contact the program developers directly for the most current information.
Classroom Resources, Videos & Lessons
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Educational Resources. Provides numerous resources and videos focusing on teen suicide prevention. AFSP’s public service awareness campaign, “Suicide Shouldn’t Be A Secret,” has enabled the Foundation to spread its suicide prevention message to teens in schools and throughout the country.
Discovery Health curriculum – Office of Prevention has purchased a site license for every school in the District and it has numerous lesson plans, videos and classroom activities. Access it via Broward County Public School’s BEEP Portal.
Reality Avenue show, “Self-Injury – Where is the REAL pain?” Reality Avenue is a series of ½ hour prevention programs created by Office of Prevention using Broward County students. Each and every show has FCAT and Sunshine State Standard classroom exercises created for teachers and counselors to use with their students. The exercises and videos are primarily for Middle and High School. Some of the exercises are designed to create discussion; some are for small group dynamics or homework exercises, and others might best be suited for individual lesson plans. While all of the exercises ascertain whether the information being taught is being received, some are more abstract and reflective in nature. It is for the teacher to decide what is most appropriate for their needs and the needs of their students. Go to the OPP webpage to view the Reality Avenue show “Self-Injury – Where is the REAL pain?” now and view the Reality Avenue show’s discussion prompters, classroom exercises and lessons.
SAMHSA’s National Mental Health Clearinghouse
The Suicide Reference Library A centralized location that offers materials for use by anyone who is involved in suicide education, awareness, support and prevention activities.
Information and Referral, Hotlines
1-800-DON’TCUT (1-800-366-8288)
First Call for Help, 211 Broward – “Help is Just a Phone Call Away!” A 24-hour, free, confidential telephone Helpline for crisis/suicide counseling, empathetic listening and community information and referrals for health and human services resources in Broward County. Just Dial 2-1-1 or (954) 537-0211 or access the directory online.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24-hour, toll-free suicide prevention service available to anyone in suicidal crisis. Can also provide info on local resources. 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Suicide Prevention 1-800-784-2433 or 1-888-333-2377.
Switchboard of Miami, (305) 358-HELP (4357)
Other Resources and Links
American Association of Suicidology (AAS) Nonprofit organization dedicated to the understanding and prevention of suicide.
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Advancing our knowledge of suicide and our ability to prevent it.
American Self-Harm Info Clearinghouse
Cornell Research Program on Self-Injurious Behavior in Adolescents and Young Adults
Help Guide Non Profit Resource
The Jason Foundation An organization dedicated to teen suicide awareness and prevention.
The Jed Foundation A nonprofit public charity committed to reducing the young adult suicide rate and improving mental health support provided to college students nationwide.
Kids Health, The Nemours Foundation
Mental Health America, Factsheet: Self-Injury
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC) A branch of the Centers for Disease Control of Prevention working to reduce morbidity, disability, mortality, and costs associated with injuries.
National Institute of Mental Health
The National Self-Harm Network
Preventing Suicide Network A national suicide prevention web site developed by iTelehealth, Inc. with a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health. Its mission is to leverage the power of technology to assist persons in informing themselves.
S.A.F.E. Alternatives – Self-Abuse Finally Ends
SAMHSA’s National Mental Health Clearinghouse
Stop A Suicide Today Developed by Harvard psychiatrist Douglas Jacobs, MD, Stop a Suicide, Today! Teaches you how to recognize the signs of suicide in family members, friends and co-workers, and empowers you to make a difference in the lives of your loved ones.
Suicide Awareness/Voices of Education (SA/VE) Dedicated to educating about suicide and speaking for suicide survivors.
Suicide Prevention Action Network USA
Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) A national resource center that provides technical assistance, training, and information in order to strengthen suicide prevention networks and advance the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention.
The Suicide Reference Library A centralized location that offers materials for use by anyone who is involved in suicide education, awareness, support and prevention activities.
The Suicide Support Forum A safe place for discussion of suicide related issues, and also a place for those whose lives have been affected by suicide to share.
Teen Health, The Nemours Foundation
The Site – The Young People & Self-Harm Information Resource Website
Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program A community-based youth suicide prevention program.