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Manawatu Guardian
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Self-harm research proves girls at risk By DALE WICKEN
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FINDINGS: Dr Shelley James has uncovered some startling truths about self-harm in her doctoral study. PICTURE: SUPPLIED
Adolescent girls are self-harming at higher rates than boys and one-in-five self-harmers have done so in front of others, new research has found. Dr Shelley James of Massey University conducted research into the controversial area for her doctorate and was surprised at some of her findings. ‘‘The number of girls who had actually harmed in front of other people was staggering to me,’’ she said. A total of 387 girls aged 13-16 from five schools were surveyed. Of these, 84 identified as self-harmers. While self-harm hasn’t normalised, the research indicated that it was not only those with obvious outward issues that engaged in self-harm. ‘‘You have this stereotypical image of this reclusive, socially awkward person that self-harms,’’ Dr James explained. ‘‘But the self-harming girls were far more likely to self-identify as being among the popular kids in school, and self harming was not restricted to those commonly seen as the highly troubled teens.’’ The research also found girls with higher parental influence experienced fewer emotional difficulties which was a common reason for self-harm. Dr James believes that limiting the discussion of selfharm in media that adolescent girls use, is important for decreasing the number of selfharmers. ‘‘Given that repeated exposure increases normalisation and the likelihood of engaging in a behaviour, it’s essential that efforts are made to continue to maintain the low levels of normalisation of self-harm in this vulnerable age group,’’ she explained. School guidance counsellors were actively involved in the research process and were available to support students in relation to issues raised in the study.
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HANGING OUT: Zoe, Alana and Marcus Smith help dad Stefan Smith (back) with preparations for the new Kids Republic centre on Grey Street.
Palmerston North couple create family space By DALE WICKEN
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place for kids and parents, the centre will also provide employment for around 12 locals. Plans for climbing walls, a gaming room with old-fashioned arcade games and a petting zoo are also being thrown around. ‘‘We’re just big kids ourselves so it suits us great,’’ said Mrs Smith. With an arts degree, Mrs Smith has been tasked with a mural for the centre. ‘‘It’s going to be a skyscraper, maybe with King Kong on top,’’ she explained. Mr Smith describes the whole task as ‘‘a whirlpool that will all come together’’ in the end. Despite the long hours and sleepless nights, he is excited for the centre’s opening in March. ‘‘It’ll all be worth it in the end.’’
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BIG SELECTION OF DESKS • BEDS • TV’S • BIKES • WHITEWARE CHAIRS • CHANDELIERS • BOX LOTS KITCHENWARE • LINEN DINING SUITES • BEDROOM FURNITURE • BOOKS • DVD’S X BOX GAMES • LAMPS • WARDROBES • JEWELLERY TOASTERS • POTS & PANS • OAK FURNITURE • CAR MANUALS LEATHER LOUNGE SUITES • ORNAMENTS • FILING CABINETS WROUGHT IRON DAY BED • COLLECTABLES • ACCORDIAN LARGE BELLOWS • DINGHY • WROUGHT IRON STAIR CASE BBQ’S • WINDOWS • STABLE DOOR • AVIARIES • TIMBER POTTERY KILN • DOORS • WROUGHT IRON BED ENDS CANE SUITE • WROUGHT IRON GATES • WOODEN STAIRS X 4 PICTURES • SOFA BEDS • AND MUCH MUCH MORE....
A Palmerston North couple are filling a gap in Palmerston North’s family hang-out scene by creating a large recreation facility for ‘‘ages zero to adult’’. Massey vet lecturer Stefan Smith and wife Marie have taken ownership of the old Fresh Central supermarket building behind Speight’s Ale House on Grey Street and are converting it into an area for families to bring their kids and hang out themselves. Construction has begun on the facility and the estimated open date is March 1. ‘‘We’ve got three kids and there isn’t anywhere we could take them all together,’’ said Mrs Smith. While their youngest
still enjoyed attending Lollipops, their other children were too old and there wasn’t anywhere in Palmerston North the three of them could attend together. The centre, which is to be called Kids Republic, has an internal playland that came down from Whangaparaoa in Auckland and took 70 hours to disassemble. On the other side of the building will be a purpose-built vet clinic and pet centre. ‘‘I’ve been working as a vet for 23 years now. It’s time for me to give something back,’’ says Mr Smith. With vetting experience both in New Zealand and abroad, Mr Smith is hoping to use the clinic to supplement his teaching of fourth and fifth year vets at Massey. As well as a fun
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