Self-harm can be really hard to understand, but it’s a lot more common than some people think. Between one in 12 and one in 15 people self-harm. It usually means doing things such as cutting or burning yourself, causing bruising, pulling out your hair, or biting your nails excessively, and it can also include eating disorders, and drug and alcohol abuse.
You may self-harm if you are feeling anxious, depressed or stressed, or if you are being bullied and feel that you do not have support or a way to deal with your problems. In some cases you may self-harm to relieve tension, to try and gain control of the issues that may be concerning you, or to punish yourself. Young people who self-harm often talk about the ‘release’ that they feel after they have self-harmed, as they use it as a mechanism to cope with their problems.
While it’s a more common issue than people often realise, it can be harmful, so it’s important to get help. If you can, try and talk to someone you know well and you can trust – whether it’s a parent or relative, a teacher, school nurse, friend or youth worker – but if you don’t feel like you can confide in anyone you know, then go and talk to your doctor or arrange to talk to a counsellor. There are specific guidelines for doctors and medical staff to follow when helping anyone who self-harms, including treating you with respect and dignity, and making sure your injuries are treated straight away. You won’t be judged or ignored. You may also be referred to the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) team who can provide you with more specialist help.
There is also a lot of support and advice available online, including at Childline and Young Minds; both sites also share the experiences of other young people who have self-harmed, and how they have coped with it.