Are teachers told when one of their student self-harms?
I am a middle school teacher so we teach using grade level teams. Often our team is informed about students who self-harm so that we can be aware and monitor the situation. It allows teachers to not only make sure students do not escalate and harm themselves in more drastic ways, but also allows us to understand the behaviors of students. The information counselors provide the teachers gives us insight into why students might be behaving the way they are (acting out, not doing homework, unable to connect with peers or adults, etc.) I don't always treat my students equally, I treat them fairly. Students that have additional baggage might get extra support or slack from me. That is one major difference between middle schools and junior high and especially high schools, which also one of the biggest reasons why I prefer teaching at a middle school. But keep in mind, these situations are kept confidential. When this information is shared (and it may not necessarily be shared with all teachers), they are professionals and they handle that sensitive info with great care and respect. While I am not a counselor or therapist, I hope you are seeking care for this. I saw numerous students this past school year who experienced escalating behaviors with their self-harming - some with very drastic results. I wish you well! You Asked: Does the school counselor have to tell you if they tell the teachers? Or does the student just go not knowing? They will generally ask the student prior or ask the parents, but may go ahead anyways - especially if there is concern of the situation escalating or if the self-harming is related to pressures/situations happening because of school. One thing you have to remember is that the people in school are there for your best interest. And if they feel that sharing this information is important to helping you out then they may likely share it. Most school counselors are different than social workers, therapists, or psychiatrists in that they are not bound to doctor-patient privileges. Are you concerned about your teachers finding out because you fear they will treat you differently?
Will teachers treat me differently?
It kinda depends on each individual teacher when it comes to how they are going to deal with it (if they are aware). If you are so paranoid about it, maybe just thinking that they know will help you to curb your urge to self harm. Is there one teacher in particular who you get along with and trust? Maybe you could just be honest with him or her and give them your side of it so they won't be just making judgments and decisions off of what another faculty member told them. I'm sure they will continue to treat you the same as the other students. I doubt you are going to get any kind of special treatment or any hostile treatment either. Don't worry about what they think so much as just worry about getting yourself clean from self harm. Heck carve on a school desk or lunch table or something...NOT your body. Take care.
Do you think my friend is self-harming for attention?
Well my friend recently started cutting herself, she said she has life problems but I don't know, she told me she wanted people to know what's she's going through so she's going to show them to people...is this attention seeking? I just really need opinions, I've self-harmed lots of times and honestly I really felt self-conscious about it and just wanted to hide it. Do you think she's attention seeking...opinions please?
Why do schools require teachers to report self harm? Couldn't this do more harm to the student than good if their home situation isn't well?
First, the teacher is required to report it because self harm is a serious problem that should be addressed. Teachers, doctors, clergy, most are required to report these things like they are required to report bruises, neglect, and any other suspicious behavior. For the health, safety and well being of the person under 18. When it's you harming yourself...yeah, it sucks. It sucks even more when part of your problem is probably who they are going to call anyway.I do wonder though, did the teacher tell you that he had to call your parent(s)? I ask this because I wonder if you would have told him, at the time, that contacting your parent might have caused the situation to get worse, if there might have been some other way to handle it. Generally, there is some sort of "plan B"...which, yes, would still have involved your mom, but would have provided you some sort of support so you wouldn't have had to endure the extra abuse from her. Teachers and guidance counselors are usually not going to throw students to the wolves, so to speak, so I wonder if you had any knowledge whatsoever as to what he intended to do. If you did, did you say anything about your mom and her temper? I am very sorry for how this happened, I had two really awful parents...although I was never "busted" cutting, until no one could stop me, I can only imagine what it must have been like for you. However, I am extremely glad that you are getting better and that you have gotten help.
What do teachers think of students with eating disorders?
I don’t personally know that any of the students I teach have eating disorders, but it is possible. I am not entitled to have that information unless the student personally tells me, or it impacts her mental health enough that the school staff has to be notified. Either way, I’m unaware at the moment of any such students being in my classes.What do I think? I can’t really say. I’d like to know why this is happening and if anything is being done to support them. But then again, if help isn’t being sought from me and the disorder is being treated, there isn’t a whole lot for me to do and thinking about it in my free time is a black hole - you can do nothing, but it takes up headspace. And even if help isn’t being sought, I don’t have the right to point any observations out to them or take up the subject if they don’t feel comfortable with discussing it with me.I hope they get help. I won’t judge, I just care that they get better. However, unless they have specific requests, I won’t treat them any differently.
Should Schools Stop Labeling Kids?
I ttly think they should because for some kids labels are hurting them not helping them and as for me I've been labeled as "special ed." but I show a lot of characteristics of a gifted person and I'm very intelligent. I also know there is a lot of gifted people who hate being labeled as "gifted" so tell me what the hell is wrong with schools? Please excuse my language but I am very upset about schools labeling kids.