HEALTH 9 QUARTER 4 WEEK 7-8 Intentional Injuries

Learning Material

FOR SELF-INFLICTED INTENTIONAL INJURIES

In the previous quarter, you learned about management strategies that will help you cope with stress and depression. But what if someone you know is the one
who has suicidal tendencies? The key to suicide prevention is to act fast and take the suicide attempt seriously. A simple yet effective way that is to speak to the
person if you’re worried that she/he will attempt suicide. It may feel awkward and uncomfortable to talk, but anyone who shows indications and warning signs
needs immediate help and the sooner you respond, the better. In this case, you may express concern for that person by saying “I wanted to check up on you
because you haven’t been yourself lately”. You may also ask questions, like “Did something happen that made you start feeling this way?” You may also offer
your help by saying “I may not be able to understand exactly how you feel, but I care about you and want to help.”
FOR CASES OF ASSAULT AND ABUSE
In order to prevent becoming a victim of assault and abuse, one important consideration is knowing the proper self-defense techniques which involve physical,
mental and emotional assertiveness. These are the following:
Self-esteem – having self-confidence that will make you less likely to be chosen as an easy target.
Assertiveness – having a bold and confident behavior, like speaking with conviction, may prevent a physical attack. Since many attackers want easy victims they
can overpower quickly, saying forcefully phrases like “Leave me alone” may surprise an attacker before s/he can make a move.
Body language – making direct eye contact and using a strong voice are some actions that can send off a message to the attacker that you are aware of how to
take care of your safety and that you will not be victimized easily.
Intuition – one important rule is that if you sense danger, or if you sense that something is wrong or about to happen, you should immediately get away.
A self-protective attitude – most important of all, you must realize that you are worthy and have a right to be treated with respect. Being safe is your right, but it
is also your responsibility.

Article 19 (Protection from all forms of violence): Children have the right to be protected from being hurt and mistreated, physically or mentally. Governments
should ensure that children are properly cared for and protect them from violence, abuse and neglect by their parents, or anyone else who looks after them. In
terms of discipline, the Convention does not specify what forms of punishment parents should use. However, any form of discipline involving violence is
unacceptable. There are ways to discipline children that are effective in helping children learn about family and social expectations for their behavior – ones that
are nonviolent, are appropriate to the child's level of development and take the best interests of the child into consideration.
Article 34 (Sexual exploitation): Governments should protect children from all forms of sexual exploitation and abuse.
Article 35 (Abduction, sale and trafficking): The government should take all measures possible to make sure that children are not abducted, sold or trafficked.

Injuries will always expose you to harm, especially those intentionally committed by other people. Most are violent actions and behaviors that are considered
crimes because of the damage to the victims, not only to their properties but most especially to their personal well-being. Their physical, mental, social, emotional
and moral spiritual health are greatly affected, and these effects will not simply go away in time.

Worst of all, these might even drive the victims to inflict harm on themselves. As an adolescent, you are protected by the government through the different
legislations, government agencies and concerned groups against the dangers of intentional injuries. However, it is still your responsibility to be able to protect
yourself from the violent actions and behaviors that cause intentional injuries. You should also be aware of what to do in case you experience these. You should
know whom to trust if you are exposed to the dangers of intentional injuries, or the authorities to report to once you are victimized. But remember, injury prevention
and safety from intentional injuries are still your priority. Further, there is a need to emphasize the importance of promoting a culture of non-violence, so that you
will not be a contributor to violence and abuse.

Intentional injuries are injuries resulting from violence. It can be divided into two: self-inflicted, when a person harms himself/herself on purpose and assault,
when person/persons harm another on purpose.
• Suicide and Parasuicide are intentional injuries that are self-inflicted, while assault has four classifications: (1) those that were committed within the family;
(2) those that were committed by peers; (3) those that were committed by other groups; and (4) those that were committed by the family, peers or other
groups. Within the family, domestic violence may happen.
• Domestic violence happens when one or more members of the family harms or abuses another family member. Peers in school or in the community may
commit bullying, stalking, and extortion. Other groups may commit gang and youth violence, illegal fraternity-related violence, kidnapping and abduction,
and different acts of terror. Sexual victimization and other forms of abuse and harassment may be committed by the family, peers or other people. This
includes verbal abuse, incest, molestation or rape.
• Bullying is an unwanted, aggressive behavior. The behavior is repeated, or can be repeated, over time. Both kids who are bullied and who bully others may
have serious, lasting problems.
• Stalking is a pattern of behavior that makes you feel afraid, nervous, harassed, or in danger. It is when someone repeatedly contacts you, follows you,
sends you things, and talks to you, even when you don’t want them to.
• Extortion is the act of using force or threats to force people to hand over their money or properties, on favors.
• A gang is defined as a relatively tough, mostly street-based group of young people who regard themselves and may be seen by others as a group that
engages in a range of criminal activity and violence.
• A fraternity is a group of people with similar backgrounds, occupations, interests, or tastes. In campuses and universities, fraternities are represented Greek
letters. The youth may think of several benefits in joining a fraternity. They may see it as a gain in power and protection, as fraternities have a reputation for
being a powerful group.
• Abduction is the use of deceit or force in order to take a person or a child away from their home or relatives. In abduction, the victim usually knows or has
some sort of relation with the abductor.
• Acts of terror, or terrorism, is the use of violence for political goals and putting the public or a great number of people in fear. The purpose of these terrorist
groups is to produce terror in their victims through the use of violence, fear and pressure.
• Verbal abuse is a form of cruelty that involves the use of words.
• Incest is sexual contact between persons who are so closely related that a marriage between them is considered illegal (e.g., parents and children,
uncles/aunts and nieces/nephews, etc.). Usually, incest takes the form of an older family member having sexual relations or sexually abusing a child or an
adolescent.
• Molestation is the sexual abuse of a person (whether a child or adult) by an adult for sexual pleasure or for profit.
• Rape is forced sexual intercourse, including vaginal, anal, or oral penetration. Penetration may be by a body part or an object.
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