Health & Wellness
Understanding Adolescent Self-Harm
Adolescent self-harm can be scary for any parent, and it’s important to understand why teens self-harm, what this means, and what parents and loved ones can do to help.
Adolescent self-harm can be scary for any parent, and it’s important to understand why teens self-harm, what this means, and what parents and loved ones can do to help.
There are different levels of self-harm, with everything from non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) to suicidal actions.
Let’s look at what you need to know to understand teens who self-harm.
What is Self-Harm?
According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, self-harm is “the act of deliberately destroying body tissue, at times to change a way of feeling.”
The actions might be different depending on the teen, but the following are common methods of self-harm:
- Scratching or picking at the skin with fingernails, sometimes so much that it bleeds
- Intentionally banging into objects to cause bruises
- Cutting themselves
- Carving words or symbols into the skin
- Burns
- Pulling hair or eyebrows out
Now that we know some of the ways teens might harm themselves, let’s examine some of the reasons why.
Why Adolescents Self-Harm
There are countless reasons why a teen might cause injury or harm to themselves.
To Rebel – One reason why teens might self-harm is to rebel and take risks. If teens are too pressured to be exactly perfect, they may look for ways to escape. This could play out in drug or alcohol abuse, sexual behavior, or self-harm.
Stress – Another major factor when teens self-harm is stress. Overly stressed teens may feel like when they self-harm, they can forget about all the pressures on them and just focus on the pain. This release may be a slippery slope because the more the teen self-harms, the more stressed they will be.
To Be Accepted – Sometimes, teens hurt themselves to fit in with others. They may have found a group of friends that turn to this behavior, so they must hurt themselves to be part of the club. If you think this might be the case with your teen, examine their friend group and make sure you know who they’re hanging out with.
Suicidal Thoughts – This is a very serious reason why teens might self-harm. Suicidal thoughts are different than depression and they can be dangerous. If you think your teen may be thinking about suicide, contact the Suicide Prevention Lifeline as soon as possible.
Depression – Like suicidal thoughts, depression is dangerous and can be a reason why adolescents hurt themselves. Depression is important to understand because we might think that teens are just worn out, tired, or stressed. But depression is actually a mental disorder and a physical reaction in the brain. A teen struggling with depression doesn’t have a choice of whether or not they’re depressed, just like we don’t choose to get the flu or sprain an ankle.
Emotional Tension – Lastly, teens might hurt themselves because they don’t know another way to express their emotions. They might be sad, stressed, or emotionally unstable, but unable to share these feelings. Self-harm is a physical way to express this emotional tension, and may be a call for help. Children who have been abused or faced other traumatic life experiences might be more likely to experience this inability to communicate.
What Parents Can Do
If you think your teen is harming themselves, you should sit down with them and talk about their behavior. This open communication is important and will help you determine the reason why they are self-harming. In addition, parents shouldn’t be judgemental of their teen. Instead of punishing them for hurting themselves, speak to them and consult a professional psychologist if necessary.
Self-harm is scary for any parent, but hopefully here we helped clarified the different types of adolescent self-harm, why teens may turn to self-harm, and what parents can do to help.
Health & Wellness
Hydeia Broadbent’s father launches GoFundMe following the activist’s death
Hydeia Broadbent passed away from natural causes on Tuesday, February 20th.
HIV/AIDS activist Hydeia Broadbent’s father has launched a GoFundMe following her death.
Hydeia passed away Tuesday, February 20th, at 39 years old.
She passed away peacefully
Her father, Loren Broadbent, shared the news Wednesday on Facebook that she died peacefully from natural causes.
Hydeia was abandoned at the University Medical Center of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas and was adopted by Loren and Patricia Broadbent.
At three years old, she was diagnosed as HIV-positive with advancement to AIDS.
Several years later after her diagnosis at age 6, Hydeia became a steadfast HIV/AIDS activist, committed to spreading awareness about the disease.
She appeared on various national television programs, including “A Conversation with Magic Johnson” on Nickelodeon, “Oprah,” “20/20,” and “Good Morning America.” She also appeared in New York Times, People, Teen People, Essence, Ebony and Sister 2 Sister Magazine.
In 2014, Hydeia became a spokesperson for the Magic Johnson Foundation.
Hydeia Broadbent GoFundMe
In light of Hydeia’s untimely passing, her father has set up a GoFundMe.
“Hi, I am Loren Broadbent, the father of Hydeia Broadbent. Yesterday afternoon Hydeia unexpectedly passed away. Our hearts are broken. Hydeia spent her whole life since the age of five showing us all how to love, fight, and speak up for those affected with HIV and AIDS. And as much as I wish she was still here fighting the great fight, God called her home. Letting us all know. Job well done”, the GoFundMe reads.
“In honor of her memory the family would like to lay her to rest. So at this time we are asking for donations. Along with well wishes and prayers. We would like to thank you in advance. Thank you, and let’s all keep her memory alive and continue the fight where she left off.”
The family is seeking to raise $20,000. At the time of this posting, they have raised approximately $14,000.
If you are interested in donating to Hydeia’s celebration of life and supporting the family, please visit the GoFundMe for more information.
Health & Wellness
Hydeia Broadbent, AIDS activist and motivational speaker, dies at 39
Hydeia Broadbent passed away at 39 from natural causes.
Hydeia Broadbent, a prominent AIDS activist and motivational speaker, has passed away at age 39.
Confirmation of Hydeia Broadbent’s passing
Her passing was confirmed by her father Loren Broadbent, in a post on Facebook, sharing Hydeia died from natural causes.
“With great sadness, I must inform you all that our beloved friend, mentor, and daughter Hydeia, passed away today after living with AIDS since birth,” his post read.
“Despite facing numerous challenges throughout her life, Hydeia remained determined to spread hope and positivity through education around Hiv/AIDS.”
Her incredible story
According to her website, Broadbent was abandoned at the University Medical Center of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas and, as an infant, was adopted by Loren and Patricia Broadbent.
At three years old, she was diagnosed as HIV-positive with advancement to AIDS.
Hydeia Broadbent and her activism
Hydeia Broadbent on Oprah
Hydeia became an activist at age 6, telling her story to the masses on various national television programs, including “A Conversation with Magic Johnson” on Nickelodeon, “Oprah,” “20/20,” and “Good Morning America.” She also appeared in New York Times, People, Teen People, Essence, Ebony and Sister 2 Sister Magazine.
Motivational speaker
In 1996, she was a speaker at the Republican National Convention, she stated “I am the future, and I have AIDS.”
In 2002, her family published a book entitled “You Get Past The Tears,” she appeared with her family on “Extreme Home Makeover” in 2004.
Until her passing, she was an international motivational speaker and AIDS activist.
In 2014, she became a spokesperson for the Magic Johnson Foundation, as well as other AIDS activist organizations, in order “to educate people about HIV/AIDS, raise awareness, and fight discrimination against those living with HIV/AIDS.”
“People think because I was born with HIV my story does not apply to them. Well, this same disease I am living with is the same disease you can get if you are aware and informed,” Broadbent said.
“I use my testimony as a warning of what you don’t want to go through.”
Most of us watched Hydeia and her bravery as she shared her story on this autoimmune disease. Her courage was something to be admired.
Unheard Voices sends its heartfelt condolences to Hydeia’s family and loved ones.
Health & Wellness
Snoop Dogg’s daughter suffers “severe” stroke
Snoop Dogg’s daughter Cori Broadus revealed in an instagram post she suffered a “severe” stroke.
Snoop Dogg’s daughter Cori Broadus revealed she suffered a stroke.
Cori Broadus suffers stroke
On Thursday, the 24-year-old posted a photo on her Instagram Story from the hospital following the health scare.
“I had a severe stroke this a.m. I started breaking down crying when they told me,” she wrote. “Like I’m only 24, what did I do in my past to deserve all of this.”
(Photo Source: Instagram)
Although Broadus didn’t provide any specific details on what led to her stroke or her recovery, the singer has had a difficult health journey for years after being diagnosed with lupus at age 6.
What is lupus?
Lupus is an autoimmune disease that makes your immune system damage organs and tissue throughout your body. It causes inflammation that can affect your skin, joints, blood and organs like your kidneys, lungs and heart.
Let’s keep Cori and all those battling autoimmune diseases like Lupus in our prayers. It is certainly a daily fight.
Featured photo : Instagram
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