Self harm

related links

1. Scratch stress
2. Secret self harmer
3. How I stopped self harming
4. My self harm story

Next Steps

1. They run local support groups for women who injure themselves, and also have a national self-harm helpline for women in distress.
2. For recommended books on self harm, recently published features and further information.
3. Offers practical information, crisis care and emotional support to anybody affected by mental health problems. Helpline is open every day between 6pm and 11pm.

What is it?

People who self harm deliberately injure themselves, mostly as a way of coping with painful and difficult feelings. They are not usually trying to commit suicide, but are thought to be more likely to eventually do so. According to a recent report young women are nearly four times more likely to harm themselves than young men, with the incidence of self harm in females being 11% compared to 3% in men.

Who does it?

According to recent studies it could be as many as 200,000 young people in the UK, with only 13% of these cases being presented to hospitals and 7% of participants in the study having self harmed in the past year. In general there is a higher prevalence of self injury amongst teens and young people than the rest of the population.

What causes it?

There are many triggers including low self-esteem, incest, rape, bullying, a death in the family, work pressures, money trouble, depression and relationship problems. Young women have cited recent self harm by friends, drug misuse, depression and anxiety as particular reasons for self harm. Most self harm takes place in private and is kept secret from others. Instead of expressing their feelings openly, people who self harm take things out on their bodies, and often say it makes them feel more in control of certain situations and feelings. Participants in the recent report were quoted as saying they wanted to "punish themselves" or "get relief from a terrible state of mind".

Self inflicted injuries include:

• Cutting;
• Burning;
• Small overdoses;
• Picking skin;
• Bruising;
• Tearing out hair.

Cutting is the most common form of self harm, with around 65% of cases being self-cutting. Taking a small overdose is the second most common form, at around 31% of cases, and most likely to be reported to hospital.

Helping a self harmer

People who deliberately injure themselves need help and understanding. They should not be told that they are stupid, selfish, insane, or attention-seekers. They could have been self harming for years before they seek help. People who self harm can get great benefits from confidential counselling, where they can start talking about all their painful feelings in a safe environment. Learning better ways to cope with stress can also give them an alternative to hurting themselves.

If you are concerned about someone who may be self harming, read our Supporting a self harmer factsheet for more advice on how to help them.