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 ?

 

[ToothlessSnout]

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.

Ok my dumbass confused the definition of media with art in general, really wish I could edit the post now

 

[Cauliflour]

I like yuri, I relate to her a lot. I played ddlc not long after I started self harming and I felt some sort of connection because I had similar feelings as her. Although looking back, it does bother me how unrealistic the cuts look in her sprite: they're all fresh, they're all deep and the blood isn't dripping down to physics. Realistically her arm would be all battered looking with scars of varying ages scattered about.

There's also Emily from Class of 09, she self harms too but that's cause she's got some kind of mental disorder, not entirely sure what though. I thought Emily was alright in how she was portrayed although it does bug me how she doesn't have visible scars on her sprites.

 

[ikiruNObungaku]

I think so. I don't see it a lot in mainstream media, or in media in general. Interestingly, media will talk about and show depression and suicide easily, but treat self harm as a more taboo thing to showcase. I can think of a lot of media I have consumed that has suicide that has been shown to, what I would think, is a mass audience, but when I think of self harm I can only name two that have visibly shown it: Madoka Magica and Needy Streamer Overload. Both have shown cutting. Other than that, not really.

A lot of people I think do not have the capacity to handle the subject tastefully. I think they are scared to touch on the subject because for more it is hard to show it without encouraging it.

It reminds me how when that show 13 Reasons Why became popular. I think that show is a very interesting topic for discussion on "influence."