Discussion Do yall think theres a lack of depictions of self harm in media?

[ToothlessSnout]

Honestly the only character that ive seen with a proper self harming trait was Yuri from ddlc, I suppose I also know 2 other instances but it was either a one episode stunt or a small gameplay mechanic

Feel free to tell me about any other characters written with that trait and its media if yall know

 

[dookiebootybutt59]

I liked Princess Luna from my little pony's representation of self harm, I feel like its one of those things you only truly understand after re watching the show years later

 

[freycinetia]

In mainstream media? Hard for me to say. I don't really engage with mainstream stuff much anymore, but I can also imagine that it's probably represented in subtle ways, if at all, and probably in a negative light.

In terms of the media I personally like, it's not hard to find depictions of it. It's mainly a matter of being a little more genre-savvy and digging in the right places.

 

[kurikaesu]

i really hate seeing it in popular media, as someone who does it. to me it feels the same as lgbt+ characters in popular media, although thats became much more normalized now than sh has. i rarely find good representation of it, even in less mainstream works, and i think it just makes people uncomfortable in a bad way.

 

[dragonofenvy]

Media depictions often seem like a caricature and stereotype people who actually SH. They're often written based on what normies think self-harm is supposed be rather than having experienced it themselves or consulting with people who have.

The only good representation I've seen was in a video game I often play, and the developer of it happens to deal with mental health issues themselves so no wonder it's represented so well.

 

[iguazo falls]

i dont trust mosst media to portray it well but i think what would be cool is more characters with scars but no big dramatisation or focus on the sh itself, it feels like most instants of portrayal in fiction is there to shock and discomfort the viewer.

 

[PimpHand]

Because the media is an arm of the government, the government doesn't want people to think other people suffer, they want you to believe the illusion that everything is perfect and that maybe you are the problem.

Also I think there might be some form of fear that depictions of it might inspire people to do the same, the famous Werther Effect.

 

[khora]

Generally I wouldn't say the "media" is a good assessment of this; because every media is subjective and is changing in time.
I mean will someone do it eventually? I don't doubt it, because in the case of mental health study its a good stratum to benefit from on all sides of entertainment..and in this day in age mere commonality for the masses.
Every form of media vastly alternates in the case that the target audience is also attempting to source what will always be different in its interpretation, it will never have one form of accuracy for any one kind of people, and that tends to be something controlled and that's the mistake that's greatly attributed to it. Its a narrative that fits the picture.
As for consumerist media i'd assume what's being indicated by everyone else here. There has not been an actual basis to interpret that's "good" other than from people who've actually dealt and experienced it first hand itself to properly depict the nature of these things in media.
I've never seen anything that has thoroughly done it.

 

[Simba]

Media depictions often seem like a caricature and stereotype people who actually SH. They're often written based on what normies think self-harm is supposed be rather than having experienced it themselves or consulting with people who have.

The only good representation I've seen was in a video game I often play, and the developer of it happens to deal with mental health issues themselves so no wonder it's represented so well.

What's the name of the game ?

 

[dragonofenvy]

What's the name of the game ?