“How I Overcame Self-Harming”
*Trigger warning: this podcast episode features a discussion around Rosie’s experience of self-harm as a teenager*
Rosie Mullender had a long career as Content Director at Cosmopolitan magazine before she went freelance as a journalist in 2018. You might think that nailing her dream job on a glossy mag would mean that she had a straightforward path to success, but nothing could be further from the truth.
As a young girl, Rosie struggled to fit in at school, and she began to self-harm at the age of 14.
I had an incredibly frank – and very moving chat – with Rosie. I found her stories of alienation at school heartbreaking, and her description of how she transformed her life to what it is today hugely inspiring.
Now a successful journalist, with a fab fiancé, and the most fantastic flat (listen to our chat to find out more about the amazing space she’s created!) Rosie couldn’t be more of a role model for teenagers everywhere.
“There’s always light at the end of the tunnel…”
If you are self-harming and want to get help, Rosie’s key advice is to talk. Although that may feel scary, she said that once the first sentence is out, it gets much easier. She also had a message for 14 year-old Rosie, that she wishes she could tell to young people everywhere who might be experiencing something similar to what she did. Take a listen to the podcast to hear what she has to say.
You can also find advice to help you stop self-harming on the following websites:
- NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/self-harm/
- Harmless http://www.harmless.org.uk/
- Young Minds https://youngminds.org.uk/find-help/feelings-and-symptoms/self-harm/
If you’re considering self-harm or suicide, talk to someone as soon as possible. The Samaritans is a good place to start if you can’t face telling someone you know.
Parents – if you’re worried about your child you can also talk to your GP, or use any of the resources on the OLLIE website.
You can find Rosie’s fun Tat Museum account on Instagram, and check out her journalism on her website.
You can find the episode in your usual podcast app, or if you prefer, you can listen online below.
Thank you so much for listening! Subscribe now to the Teenage Kicks podcast to hear all my new episodes. I’ll be talking to some fabulous guests about difficult things that happened to them as teenagers – including losing a parent, becoming disabled, and being hospitalised with mental health problems – and how they overcame things to move on with their lives.
And if you’re stuck for how to engage with your teenager, this list of things for teens to do might be helpful.
I’d love it if you’d rate and review the podcast on iTunes too – it would really help other people to find it. You can also find more from me on parenting teenagers on Instagram and Twitter @iamhelenwills.
This episode is sponsored by Blue Microphones, who gave me the brilliant Yeticaster for the recording of the podcast.
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