Is Model Catherine McNeil self injuring?

Recent stories of young model Catherine McNeil sporting cuts on her forearms which look a lot like cutting rather than the official line of “she fell off her skateboard into some bushes” according to her agent Kathy Ward.

Monash University professor of psychiatry Louise Newman, who did not comment specifically about McNeil, said self-harm had become fashionable.

“Self-harm is, sadly, very common and is becoming a bit of a trend,” Professor Newman said.

“In some groups of young people, it’s even considered virtually a fashionable thing to do or a way of expressing unhappiness or distress.”

While I agree in part with what this professor says, I don’t think it’s a fashionable thing and those in the public eye would damage their careers if that’s all it was.

Look at her arms, that’s not a fashion statement, she looks as though she IS in fact trying to hide them, or not be so obvious about them!

Catherine McNeil

Catherine McNeil

Catherine McNeil Cutting?

Catherine McNeil Cutting?

I do hope that it isn’t a fashion statement or anything just because they’re a little down or depressed. Self injury IS a serious thing for most people and a true sign of deeper distress – it shouldn’t be turned into something else. How will we know who is really in emotional trouble if this becomes fashionable?

Read more here at The Daily Telegraph

2009
11/29
POSTED BY
Soul
CATEGORY
Self-Injury
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R U OK? DAY

This is a fantastic idea, a way to reach out to friends and family and make sure that they ARE okay. I wish something like this was around during my times of need. Though this is an Australian initiative, there is nothing stopping people from other countries to connect with their friends and family and perhaps making an international R U OK? DAY. If you can save a life or help someone feel validated it’s worth it!

From the website:

R U OK?Day will be held on November 29th, 2009. It is an annual national day of action that aims to get Australians, right across the entire spectrum of society, connecting with friends and loved ones, by reaching out to anyone doing it tough and simply asking: “Are you ok?”

Why start a conversation? Research shows talking about suicide with someone at risk actually reduces the chances of them taking their life. It is the one thing we can all do to make a real difference. R U OK?Day is about prevention, preventing little problems turning into big problems. So it is not just about asking those at immediate risk.

Connection is a crucial part of general health and well being to help in coping with issues such as stressful life events, mental health problems, relationship breakdowns and bereavement.

Staying connected and ensuring your colleagues, friends and loved ones do so as well is as simple as having regular, meaningful, conversations. So every day can be R U OK?Day.

This year on November 29th, all of Australia will be encouraged to ask someone they care about: “Are you ok?” And, if they are, the worst that can happen is they will know you care about them…but if they are not, that conversation could change a life.

Read more at R U OK? DAY

If you’re unsure about how to have or start a conversation, they offer tips on that too HOW TO HAVE A CONVERSATION

2009
11/25
POSTED BY
Soul
CATEGORY
Anxiety
Depression
Moods
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“Sorry for Abuse” from our Prime Minister

Last week our Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd and the opposition leader apologised to the forgotten Australians who were abused in institutions in the past – sexual, emotional and physical. So many Australians and child migrants were subjected to appalling conditions through these orphanages and various other institutions.

Mr Rudd will today say sorry to 500,000 “forgotten Australians” who suffered in orphanages, foster homes and care between the 1930s and 1970s.

The apology will also cover Australians who were shipped from Britain as children with the promise of a better life, only to face abuse and neglect.

Britain sent more than 130,000 poor children to Australia and other former colonies in the last century, many wiithout the knowledge or consent of their parents, according to the charity Child Migrants Trust.

Specialist agencies sent them abroad to populate British colonies with “good white British stock”, the charity said, but most ended up in state institutions or farm schools.

I think it’s a great thing they did, though it won’t ever take the terrible experiences back, at least someone has apologised for Australia’s great shame! It can be a start on the road to closure for some hopefully.

To read more about it and view the video, click on the link Kevin Rudd apologises to ‘forgotten Australians’

2009
11/23
POSTED BY
Soul
CATEGORY
Sexual Abuse
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Confronting Your Abuser

It’s both a terrifying and powerful thing to do and obviously not for everyone! I think each person needs to choose for themselves if they would ever want to pursue doing something like this.

For a while now I’ve been considering different options, what could I do about my own abuse and how could I find some kind of closure for myself. I’ve toyed with the idea of going through the legal system and outing them publicly, I’ve considered speaking to him and asking him that important question I need to know, “WHY?” “Why have you robbed me of a normal life? Was it just for your own kicks?”

Part of me wants him to suffer publicly, part of me doesn’t because it means his wife and children will then know what he’s done, do they need that? But then I wonder, was I his only victim? What if I wasn’t and others need to have a voice against him? Can I just leave it alone? I don’t think so, and of course, the longer it’s left, the greater the risk that I’ll never get a chance to have my say in one form or another. People get old. People die. I don’t want to lose the opportunity.

Before I do choose which option to take, I will carefully consider all options, the bottom line for me is that whatever I choose, it has to be the right form of action for me to take. This is about my healing.

I’ve known of people who have gone through the courts, some have ended up in jail, others don’t. Sure, their friends and family find out what went on, but no doubt they’ve got lies to cover things like that up.

I’ve been having nightmares lately, and I think partly they are caused by me thinking about all of this stuff, I hadn’t had any in years, then before going back on my anti-depressant medication I had three and then they stopped. In this last week or so I’ve had another three. There is no outside stress causing them, they happen usually after a reasonably okay day. I believe my thoughts on confronting my abuser are causing them, dredging memories, creating scary situations, terrifying me in my sleep.

He has to go! And in that, I mean his power, his control over my memories HAS TO GO! I need the control back, I need my own power, I need to turn the tables in one way or another.

What a tough decision this one is to make, and unfortunately it’s one I have to make on my own.

I found a site though on my search for tips about confronting an abuser, check it out, it might be helpful for you too.

Pandora’s Project

2009
10/30
POSTED BY
Soul
CATEGORY
Anxiety
Depression
Sexual Abuse
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