GC holds mental health seminar, boosts self-harm awareness among students
To raise awareness on self-harm, the Gordon College – Office of Student Welfare and Services (GC-OSWS), in collaboration with GC – Guidance Counseling Unit (GC-GCU), conducted the “Nature of Self-Harm: Awareness, Compassion, and Prevention” seminar last March 13 at the Function Hall, GC – Main Building.
Graced by Resource Speaker Erin RiegodeDios Asio, a Master of Arts in Education Major in Behavioral Sciences graduate, the seminar featured how Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI), also known as self-harm, is different from suicide.
According to Asio, self-harm is a way of coping intense feelings by hurting oneself on purpose. The intention of doing self-harm is to feel alive and escape emotional pain.
Additionally, she stated that self-harm used to be listed as a symptom of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), a pervasive disorder that affects the whole personality. Most people who self-harm do not have BPD, but people who have BPD may have these tendencies.
The seminar went further and discussed the different types of self-harm: cutting, burning, and hitting. If NSSI is done occasionally, there is a risk of making an unintentional mistake that could lead to accidental death.
Asio explained the phases of taking action when someone is afflicted with self-harm. Where the first phase is listening to someone when they open up about hurting themselves. Then, offer support toward counseling.
Then followed by the causes, myths, and how to cope with self-harm in a healthy way. She also told students that they should check up on each other afterwards.
The keynote speaker also underscored the importance of promoting a stigma-free, healthy, and supportive environment within the school.
Students are welcome at the GCU office for free counseling services to those struggling with their mental health. | via Jasmine Zeah Llagas/The FOREFRONT
Photos by Lheeon Owen Dela Rosa and Marian Sualibio
