^cce^i4;U^, 7Hvic^ H, ^997
Depression linked to seli-hnri
By Nikia Jones
Stajf Writer
Some people give new meaning to the words "slash
and burn." They hurt themselves in an attempt to relieve
their stress and emotional turmoil.
Everyone has problems and their own way to deal.
Some people choose to inflict pain on their own bodies by
cutting or burning themselves, harming themselves physi
cally and emotionally. Why do they resort to such drastic
escapes from problems? Many believe
the answer lies within.
It’s called self-mutilation. This is
when a person repeatedly cuts or burns
themselves on purpose to relieve or dis
tract themselves from emotional pain.
"Emotional turmoil is more damaging
than physical turmoil. Some people
allow their pain to build up so much
inside them until they think they will
explode,” said Lindsay Kuhn, a junior.
This pain may be brought on by
depression, anger, or boredom.
"Many are normal
kids who are trying
to find themselves. ”
-Dr. Lynn Ponton
People who cut themselves know it is harmful. How
ever, they would rather endure physical pain than men
tal pain. It is in this way that self-mutilation becomes
addictive physically and psychologically.
Many psychologists say self-hurt is actually com
mon behavior. It is a more severe form of pinching
yourself or hitting yourself on the head from anger.
However, one doctor says every person who inflicts self
pain does not necessarily have a psychological prob
lem. Dr. Lynn Ponton is quoted in Seventeen magazine
saying, '‘Many are normal
kids who are trying to find
themselves, even frighten
themselves, to learn more
about themselves-what
they can take and what
they can’t.”
There may also be biological reasons to help explain
why people cut themselves. Dr. Ponton said, “Some of
the biology indicates that after the cutting or burning,
there are hormones released called endorphins that bring
about feelings of tranquility.”
The endorphin rush from self-inflicted pain soon be
comes habitual. Whenever a person begins to feel an
gry, lonely, or depressed, they cut or burn themselves
more often with less thought. When the physical pain is
not enough to drown out the emo
tional pain, some of these people of
ten attempt suicide.
There are many ways and places
to get help for this illness. Professional
help should be sought after a person has
cut or burned themselves more than two
times. At 800-DONT CUT, a person
can receive information about how to
curb this dangerous habit. The Suicide
Prevention number located in the phone
book or 911 should be used in case of
emergencies concerning deep cuts, bad
burns, or suicidal thoughts. If you suspect someone of
cutting or burning themselves because they are depressed,
you have noticed scars, they have ‘accidents’ and wear
bandages a lot and wear long sleeves even in the summer
time, let them know ■■■■■■■■■■■>■■■■■■■
I From Cosby to Bacon in 4:
" (answer to the challenge in the Februar_\ 4 issue)
Rec b-ba([, soccer
offer alternative
By Ben Blackwood
Staff Writer
Tony Hayes and Erika
Robinson were Mr. and
Ms. X on February 4.
you are concerned
and insist that they
get professional
help. “This subject
is not something
that can be
avoided. Self-mu
tilation is some
thing that has to be
dealt with,” said
Kuhn.
Not every student dreams of being on the Grimsley’s varsity
squads. For those who are either unmotivated, untalented or un
lucky, tliere are now alternatives to school sports.
Over the past several years, larger numbers of students have
participated in church basketball leagues. The squads are made
up (supposedly) of church members, but this season there are
also teams sponsored by Young Life and the Greensboro Jewish
Federation.
play because it gives me a chance to play with my friends,
which I've never been able to do before,” said Jonathan Bullard,
a senior. Unfortunately for Bullard, he and his College Place
teammates were suspended for the rest of the season for receiving
seven technical fouls.
try' to impress the crowd,” said Mike Cleaver, a Junior. “
Usually there are some girls at the games, and 1 attempt to show
off my skills so they will think that I am cool.”
For whatever reason, a large number of Grimsley students are
joining this league. As Justin Smith, a sophomore, put it, church
basketball "gives scrubs like myself a chance to play."
Recreational soccer is also increasingly popular among stu
dents. The under-18 division contains six teams, made up largely
of students from the Guilford Counfr School system. Man)’ of
the players are looking for a less competitive alternative to school
or classic soccer.
“It’s a fun league, and all my boys are on the team,"
said Perry Hughes, a senior, “We go out and have a
Bill Cosby Mas in "Jack" with Robin Williams
who was in
"Mrs. Ooubtfire" with Sally Field
who was in
"Steel Magnolias" with Julia Roberts
who was in
"Flatliners" with Kevin Bacon.
good time and wreck some fools.”
Some who play in the rec league feel that there may
be a little too much “fool-wrecking,” however.
"People are very competitive,” said Joe Schlosser,
also a senior. “A lot of hard fouls are committed.”
Still, most students who play enjoy the relaxed at
mosphere as well as the sometimes physical play.
Heath Patrick, a senior, said, "It is better than clas
sic soccer because they don't get in fights. We do.”
423 South Tate Street
Greensboro, N.C.
275-9990
Monday thru Friday 7:00am - 9:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 8:00pm
-Bagels
-Pita Sand-wiches
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-Salads
-and much more...
Anytown teaches cultural awareuess
By Emily Schiller
Reporter
Discounts for GHS Students
For Grimsley
Students Only:
All Sandwiches
W / an Ice tea
$2.99
*7^ Tieiit
^23 SMt^ S&teet
275-9990
NOT VALID WITH ANY OTHER OFFER
j Special for Students
! with Purchase of
I
j Sandwich or Platter,
■Receive a Free Drink.
^23 SMt^ St'ieet
275-9990
I COUPON MUST ACCOMPANY ORDER
Religious tolerance, racial equality', cultural
understanding - the ideal community'. Are we
even headed in the right direction?
In the past decade, over 500 highschoolers in
Guilford County' have attended a camp to help
them learn how to work against gender, racial,
and socioeconomic biases; a camp where issues
such as stereotypes, discrimination, and cultural
awareness are
discussed
among a di
verse group of
people - a
camp named
Anytown.
Any'town,
first held in
1957, is spon
sored by the
National Con
ference of
Christians and
Jews. The
week-long pro
gram uses dis
cussion groups, workshops, role plays, music,
and experiential activities to explore the differ
ences among people. It is not a camp of pol itical
correctness but a place to understand the people
around you, to learn about other cultures, reli
gions, genders and races. A camp that thrives on
hearing teens’ ideas and feelings.
“ It helps you to understand the perspectives
and points of view of many different cultural,
religious, and racial backgrounds. You realize
that even thougli everyone has so many appar
ent differences, we’re all really the same,” says
Matt Lynch, a senior.
The leaders at Anytown are trained to work
.\nyto\vii cli'leuales oxperieiicc a .lewish wedding
cerenioiiv lor "( iiltiirc Night”.
with young adults. They are adult advisors who
take a week off from their Jobs to come share
theirown experiences and listen to the group In
the cabins, there are college-age counselors who
lead cabin time, a small group that meets through
out the week and is notorious lot its involved
discussions, at the end of each day.
Not only can this camp be enlightening, but
there are also volleyball, swimming, ping-pong,
basketball, and other recreational activities avail
able during free time. Certain nights of the week
are designated
as culture or
talent nights,
during which
the stage is
open for any
individual to
stand and ei
ther share
something
about his or
her culture or
show a special
talent.
Ifris camp
is too popular
to be open to
everyone. Only rising Juniors and seniors
can apply. Application forms can be ob
tained from your guidance counselor or
from the National Conference by calling
272-0359 and are due by May first. The
two sessions of camp are July 13- July 19
and July 27- August 2, held at the Blowing
Rock Assembly Grounds (B.R.A.G.) in the
Blue Ridge Mountains. The total cost is
$275.00 which includes bus transportation,
meals, housing, health and accident insurance,
workshop materials, and a camp T-shirt and
photo. Partial scholarships are available on a
need basis, along with a few full scholarships.
hemk'rgrafi photo