What is self-harm?

harming behaviour can occur in anyone at any age, including

young people.
Self-harm is defined as the act of someone hurting themselves
Reasons for self-harming may include:
intentionally (on purpose).
Most people who self-harm isn’t attempting suicide. Self-harm
 dealing with distressing feelings and memories
can be a way to express or control distressing thoughts or
 communicating the need for support
feelings.
 as an outward sign of inner pain
Self-harm can cause more damage to your health and safety
 self-punishment for feelings of guilt or shame
than you may have intended.
 loneliness
Triggers for self-harm may include:
What signs suggest someone may be self-
harming? 

bullying
school or work problems
Self-harm may go unnoticed by others. Many people who self-
 relationship problems
harm do so in private and may not seek help.
 low self-esteem
Self-harm may include behaviours such as:
People living with mental health concerns or those who have
experienced physical, emotional or sexual abuse are at
 cutting, burning or hitting yourself
increased risk of self-harming.
 participating in risky behaviour
 abuse of drugs or alcohol
Signs that someone may be self-harming can include: How to get help if you or someone you care for
 changes in mood
self-harms
If you self-harm, it’s important to get help.
 being secretive
Try to find supportive people who:
 avoiding situations where you have to expose your arms
or legs
 you feel comfortable with
 strange excuses for injuries
 you can talk to
 withdrawing from usual activities
 will listen without judgement

If you have a friend or a family member you can trust, reach out
Why might someone self-harm? to them to help you.
There are many reasons people self-harm, and the reason for Healthcare professionals who can help include your doctor, as
each person is different. well as:
Self-harm behaviour may be a way for someone to manage
distress or painful feelings. It may give short-term relief from  counsellors
these feelings.  psychologists
Some people who self-harm may only do so once, whereas Seeking help early can reduce the damage caused by self-harm
others self-harm frequently and for many years. and decrease your risk of self-harming in the future.
For most people, the feeling of relief after self-harming is only
short term. This can result in a desire to self-harm again. Self-
How can I support someone that I care about What techniques can be used as distractions from self-harming?
who is self-harming? Techniques that work as alternatives and distractions from self-
If you think someone you care for is self-harming, it is important harm can help relieve distress in the short-term. But remember,
that you: it’s important to seek medical help to stop self-harming
behaviours.
 offer support
 encourage them to get professional help Examples of alternatives to self-harm that can relieve distress in
Continue the conversation about their mental health by checking the short term include the following.
in with them to see how they are going.
If you are concerned for someone’s welfare and want to tell a  Distract yourself by doing an activity that you enjoy such
healthcare professional, it’s important to tell the person first. as reading, art, journaling, listening to music or going for
Reassure them that: a walk.
 Divert to an activity that will not cause injuries, such as
 you have their best interests in mind holding ice cubes in your hands, wearing a rubber band
 you care about them on your wrist and snapping it when you feel you need to,
 your intentions are to help keep them safe or punching a pillow.
 Doing some deep breathing and relaxation exercises.
How is self-harm treated?
You may want to copy your list of alternative activities onto a
There are different approaches to treating self-harm. Your piece of paper or into your phone. This way you have it when
doctor, counsellor or psychologist will work with you to develop you need it.
a treatment plan.
Psychological therapies can help you understand why you self-
harm. They can also give you tools and techniques to help you
cope with any challenging thoughts and feelings. Complications of self-harming behavior
Psychological therapies for self-harm may include:
Self-harming behaviour can have very serious complications,
 cognitive behaviour therapy such as an increased risk of serious physical harm or accidental
 dialectical behavioural therapy suicide. These complications can occur when you cause more
 mindfulness damage than intended.
 problem solving therapy People who repeatedly self-harm may become suicidal or feel
hopeless.