24: Life After… Self-Harm: Vulnerability, recovery, and finding healthier ways to cope
Description
Trigger warning: This episode includes discussions of self-harm. Please take care of yourself and skip this one if it feels triggering.
This is one of the hardest episodes I’ve ever recorded.
My heart was racing as I hit record because, for the first time, I’m sharing a story I’ve kept hidden for years - my experience with self-harm as a teenager, and how those scars shaped the woman I am today.
For so long, I carried deep shame about it. I hid my arms, made excuses, and feared people would see me as weak, broken, or simply “seeking attention.” But what I’ve learned is that self-harm is not about attention; it’s about survival when you don’t know another way.
In this episode, I open up about:
- The night I first self-harmed, and why it became my secret outlet as a teen
- The shame, stigma, and isolation I felt while hiding my scars
- How self-harm resurfaced in moments of heartbreak and abuse in adulthood
- The healthier coping strategies I’ve found, from journaling to personal development
- Why I now see my scars as a symbol of resilience rather than weakness
Sharing this makes me feel exposed and vulnerable, but I believe stories like this matter. If you’ve ever struggled with self-harm, or love someone who has, I want you to know you are not alone. There are other ways to cope, and healing is possible.
If my story helps even one person feel less isolated or gives them hope that recovery is possible, then recording this episode was worth every nervous breath.
If you need urgent support, reach out to one of these incredible services:
Lifeline – Crisis support and suicide prevention
Phone: 13 11 14 (24/7)
Text: 0477 13 11 14
Website: https://www.lifeline.org.au
Beyond Blue – Mental health support for anxiety and depression
Phone: 1300 22 4636 (24/7)
Website: https://www.beyondblue.org.au
Website: https://www.lifeline.org.au
Resources: https://beyou.edu.au/resources/suicide-prevention-and-response/suicide-prevention/self-harm
Suicide Call Back Service – For people affected by suicide
Phone: 1300 659 467 (24/7)
Website: https://www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au
13YARN – Crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Phone: 13 92 76 (24/7)
Website: https://www.13yarn.org.au
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❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.
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