If one of my college professors or someone found out or suspected I was cutting, do they have actions they have to take, or would take? Can the college do anything about it if they found out (like force my into treatment, etc.)?
as far as I am aware,in the uk they can not force you into any type of treatment, however, the staff (your college proffessors) have a duty of care to you and your well being, and i would imagine that if any of them have noticed they will have discussed it with their senior staff to see if there is any support available for you. Support is very different to treatment.
Obviously, unless you disclose something to them, they are very unlikely to bring it up, but, they are duty bound to help your well being.
Its that whole loco parentis thing...
Doubt yourself and you doubt everything you see. Judge yourself and you see judges everywhere. But if you listen to the sound of your own voice, you can rise above doubt and judgment. And you can see forever.
I guess the one that worries me the most, is I take private music lessons with the viola professor, and I'm worried one day he'll want me to like pull up my sleeves so he can watch my arms more closely when I play or something then he'll see all my scars
i play the violin and have done for years, I never once got asked to roll sleeves up or down, I suppose if that is your concern, don't wear to big or bulky a sweater when you have your lesson.
Im sure that any of your professors would just be concerened for your well being, and would just try and make sure that you know where to go for help if you wish it...
I wouldnt worry too much.
Doubt yourself and you doubt everything you see. Judge yourself and you see judges everywhere. But if you listen to the sound of your own voice, you can rise above doubt and judgment. And you can see forever.
im guessing if your at college your over 16? i dont know what action they have to take, if any, but if they do then i think they have to inform you of any action they may have to take. but as your over 16 then i dont think they can tell anyone without your permission...
College policies differ from school to school. I know that the college I attended had a fairly strict self-injury policy, including a mandatory 24 hour stay at the psych ward of the local hospital. But this was for cuts, not scars. I would look into your college's policy if I were you. You can probably get it from health/counseling services, or if you are in the dorm, your Residence Adviser might have a copy of it. If you don't want to travel that route, then you try wearing a tight fitting shirt, if you are really worried that your professor is going to ask you to roll up your sleeves.
When my college teacher found out I self-harmed, they phoned my parents. They ensured that I knew where they were at all times- just in case I had urges and were pretty lovely about the whole thing. One teacher in particular accepted that I couldn't just 'stop' where others didn't. Sometimes it's nice to have someone there you can just cry to in school. And once they confiscated my blades and stopped me going on a school trip because I was against health and safety/risk assessment but they felt terrible about it apparently. They have a 'duty of care' for each student they look after.
And I used to play the violin and was never asked to roll my sleeves up, if that is any consolation.
