Why People Self-Harm: The Mind-Body Divide and Finnish Goddess Kivutar Offer New Insights

In Finnish mythology, the goddess Kivutar embodies a striking paradox: she stores pain away in a mountain for safekeeping, yet she is also a healer who transforms suffering by channeling it into rocks or diluting it in a vast vat. This ancient narrative offers a powerful lens through which to examine a modern mental health crisis—self-harm. Recent discussions suggest that the persistent separation between mind and body in Western thought may obscure why some individuals turn to physical pain as a coping mechanism. By considering the mind-body divide, experts argue we might better understand the complex motivations behind self-injury, which affects millions worldwide. The story of Kivutar reminds us that pain can be contained, transformed, and even integrated into healing. As researchers and clinicians continue to explore these connections, the mythological framework could inspire new therapeutic approaches that honor the deep entanglement of psychological and physical suffering. The challenge remains: how can we, like Kivutar, safely hold and transform pain rather than let it consume us?