It was reported this week that there is a rise in young girls self-harming at alarming rates. This was not simply a matter of them having issues pertaining to what some may assume to be a matter of body image. The report went on to ridicule society as it buries its heads in the sand, as claimed that “violence and abuse” are “drivers of poor mental health among women and girls”.
Even though there are support groups like the Department of Health and Social Care ’Women’s Mental Health Taskforce’, it is of grave concern that so many teenage girls are self-harming.
New statistics show that one in four 14-year-old girls have deliberately hurt themselves. Furthermore, there is evidence that there are increased concerns about the mental health among young women and girls in situations such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). There are several reasons contributing to this issue, such as body images, the sexualisation of girls and violence in various forms that girls and women experience on a daily basis. The report continues to state that the “sexual abuse and exploitation of girls remains widespread in our homes, on our streets and even in our schools.” The report continues to suggest reality TV programs such as Love Island, and Celebrity Big Brother which included a contestant who threatened to stab his girlfriend, as being denounceable.
It is already a conceivable fact that vulnerable girls often times are preyed on and face sexual pressure from their peers as well, which has added impact with the availability of porn and impact on social thinking and behaviour. Society obviously needs to respond to the damaging affect violence and abuse has on young women and girls’ mental health and wellbeing.
The Bible tells that our God is the Healer, for ‘He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.’ Psalms 147:3 KJV It is essential that as children of God, we seek wisely His counsel and wisdom, of which He gives liberally. There are professional services that we may use too, as God gives gifts and knowledge.
May we show great care, love and tenderness to our young people. Ask them how they are with sincerity, be interested in their wellbeing. Don’t be hasty to rough them up. We never fully understand their journey but we can offer them a helping hand to face the next day, through pray, understanding and a listening ear.
