Educational Media Reviews Online

“Studies show there are about two million people who self-injure in the United States” and self-injury “is proving itself to be a lot more mainstream than researchers once thought.” These opening words from the film Hidden Scars, Silent Wounds serve as an introduction to a growing problem and one that seems to show special vulnerability for young people. “Designed to help teachers and students better understand this serious problem and learn how to effectively deal with it,” the video features the S.A.F.E. Alternatives program, a successful program housed at Linden Oaks Hospital, near Chicago. Young people from the program discuss their experiences with self-injury; therapists and psychologists look at causes and treatment options; and a mother of a self-injurer shares her feelings in confronting the problem with her daughter.

Especially effective is the alternating use of b& footage to show scenes that describe a past event or a feeling with color footage as the therapist or patient actively discusses the situation in the present moment. The accompanying music for the entire film helps to capture the viewer’s attention as well as soften the presentation of an emotionally distressing subject without diminishing the severity of the problem. Video and sound quality are excellent. The supplementary teacher’s resource book published with the video helps to inform about self-injury and includes activities to help students improve. This is an excellent addition for psychology and social work collections. Highly recommended.