Girl in pieces #booktalk

Girl in Pieces is a young adult novel by Kathleen Glasgow that tells the story of Charlotte Davis, a seventeen-year-old girl who struggles with self-harm, trauma, and addiction. The novel follows Charlie’s journey from a psychiatric ward to the streets of Tucson, Arizona, where she meets a group of misfits who offer her friendship, love, and hope. Along the way, Charlie also discovers her passion for art and music, which help her cope with her pain and heal her wounds. Girl in Pieces is a raw, honest, and powerful book that explores the themes of mental health, resilience, and recovery.

What does the story make us understand?

Self-harm is a serious and complex issue that affects many people of different ages and backgrounds. It is the act of deliberately harming one’s own body, such as cutting, burning, or hitting oneself. Self-harm is not a suicide attempt, but rather a way of coping with emotional distress or expressing difficult feelings.

Click this link to listen to the full episode >> https://oralvault.com/radio/podcast/bt-012-girl-in-pieces/

Some of the reasons why people may self-harm include :

• Expressing or coping with emotional distress
• Trying to feel in control
• A way of punishing themselves
• Relieving unbearable tension
• A cry for help
• A response to intrusive thoughts

Self-harm may also be linked to bad experiences that are happening now or in the past, such as :

• Bullying
• Pressure at school or work
• Family arguments or relationship problems
• Money worries
• Sexual, physical, or emotional abuse
• Bereavement
• Confusion about sexuality
• Low self-esteem
• Stress, anxiety, or depression

Understanding the reasons why people self-harm can help them to find healthier and safer ways of coping with their emotions and challenges. It can also help them to seek professional help and support from others who care about them. Self-harm is not a sign of weakness or attention-seeking, but a sign of pain and distress that needs to be addressed.