LCC members hear of self mutilation problem

Health

Related Photos

Cindy Harcourt of Harcourt Counseling (foreground, seated) is pictured giving a presentation during a recent LCC meeting, as LCC coordinator and RCHS assistant principal Rob Hadley (far left) and LCC president Chet Walker (rear right) look on.

Discussion

November 21, 2012

LCC members hear of self mutilation problem

Frank Denzler Rushville Republican The Rushville Republican Wed Nov 21, 2012, 12:38 PM EST

RUSHVILLE — Members of the Local Coordinating Council, meet monthly and are charged with making and keeping Rush County schools a safe and drug free environment. Funding for the LCC is generated by drug and alcohol countermeasure fees collected by the Rush County courts. Each of the groups or organizations that receive funding from the LCC are invited to speak at a meeting.

Cindy Harcourt of Harcourt Counseling spoke of a growing problem that she and other counselors have encountered locally in recent years, the addiction of self mutilation.

Harcourt has been a clinical social worker for more than a quarter of a century and has seen and dealt with many addictions and other behavioral problems during her 26 years in the industry.

According to Harcourt, females are more likely than men to turn to self mutilation as a means of coping with pressures and problems. The mutilation can include but is not limited to cutting or burning ones skin, banging one’s head, sticking objects in to their skin and intentionally preventing wounds from healing.

She said there are various reasons that individuals cite for turning to the unhealthy coping mechanism but no single clear cut reason. Harcourt said that seeking attention is the least noted reason for the behavior and that many individuals hide the scars and injuries by wearing long sleeve shirts. Counselors have found that over-all, most individuals that self mutilate are actually not suicidal and that the individuals are simply trying to feel better by causing external pain to counteract internal pain and anguish.

She cited teaching healthy coping measures and continued follow up on behavior modification has been found to be successful in treating self-mutilation.

In other unrelated matters, Sarah Hall of Communities That Care told LCC members that it is her hope that testing Rush County students on the prevalence on drug and alcohol use could be conducted on an annual basis. Currently testing is conducted on a three year cycle and according to LCC Coordinator and RCHS assistant principal Rob Hadley, the cost and the timing of the testing is the reason for the two-year gap between testing periods.

Frank Denzler can be contacted at (765) 932-2222 ext. 106.

Text Only

Health

Rush County Youth Volunteer of the Year nominations open
Rush Memorial Hospital Foundation is accepting nominations for Rush County Youth Volunteer of the Year. This award will be presented to an outstanding Rush County youth by the Rush Memorial Hospital Foundation in recognition of exceptional commitment to philanthropy in the community.

May 20, 2013
Flatrock celebrating Nursing Home Week
In observance of Nursing Home Week, May 12 to 18, Flatrock River Lodge will host several events, meant to encourage residents, families and other close relatives to “Get personal” with their caregivers. Sharing personal details allows the facility care team to offer a personalized environment, or person-centered care, that is targeted to an individual’s preferences and needs. Thus, this year’s theme is “Team Care: Everyone Pitches In!”

May 15, 2013 1 Photo
Senior Screening Wednesday
The Rush County Health Department will hold their next Senior Screening from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday, May 8, at the Rush County Senior Center.

May 7, 2013
Full Service Day at Admiral
Admiral Service Station will take you back to the days when your gas was pumped and windshields cleaned for a Relay for Life fundraiser from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 25 at Admiral Service Station, South Main St., Rushville.

May 7, 2013
Mental Health America in Rush County
Pat Springman, Rita Emsweller and Gloria Bunch, members of Mental Health America in Rush County, along with Donna Holland and her girl scout troop and “Sunny” the clown (Gini Whitaker) recently visited the residents at Miller’s Merry Manor.

May 3, 2013 1 Photo
Mental Health America in Rush County and Girl Scouts visit Miller’s Merry Manor
Pat Springman, Rita Emsweller and Gloria Bunch, members of Mental Health America in Rush County, along with Donna Holland and her girl scout troop and “Sunny” the clown (Gini Whitaker) recently visited the residents at Miller’s Merry Manor.

April 30, 2013 1 Photo
Mental Health America in Rush County hears about Partners for Progress
Gini Whittaker, a member of Mental Health America in Rush County, introduced Dena Vittorio from Partners for Progress in Rush County, who recently spoke to the Mental Health group at their lunch-and-learn meeting.

April 30, 2013 1 Photo
Trauma and Addiction
We hear a lot these days about “trauma” and “Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.” Often we discover that many people who abuse drugs or alcohol also have a history of violence and trauma.

April 30, 2013
Heart dangers for women sometimes not obvious
A sharp pain or a tight feeling in the chest, along with shortness of breath . . . By now, most of us have been briefed on the warning signs of a heart attack. But the American Heart Association says those are typical signs of a heart attack in men: for women, they can be different.

April 18, 2013
5K run/walk to benefit Autism Awareness
Rushville Mayor Mike Pavey will host a 5K run/walk to benefit charitable organizations. The inaugural event will start at 8:30 a.m. April 27 at Riverside Park Amphitheater.

April 10, 2013
More Health Headlines

Health

Search Results

Related Photos

Discussion

LCC members hear of self mutilation problem

Site Map

Contact Us