In an emergency
Worried about how you'd cope if something went wrong? Make sure you know what to do in an emergency.
Self injury
What is it?
Self injury is something people do to damage their bodies. It can go on for years and is more common than most people realise.
Self injury can take a number of forms including:
- cutting
- taking overdoses of tablets or medicines
- punching yourself
- throwing your body against something
- pulling out hair or eyelashes
- scratching, picking or tearing at one's skin causing sores and scarring
- burning
- inhaling or sniffing harmful substances
- risk-taking behaviour
Some young people self-harm on a regular basis while others do it just once or a few times. For some people it is part of coping with a specific problem and they stop once the problem is resolved. For others, the self-harming seems to have no clear cause.
No-one is really sure why self injury becomes a serious problem for some people, and not others.
Self injury is not suicide
A few people who self-harm may go on to commit suicide, but generally this is not what they intend to do. In fact, self-harm can be seen as the 'opposite' of suicide as it is often a way of coping with life rather than of giving up on it.
Crucial: If you are having thoughts about suicide do not self harm. Call the Samaritans on 0845 7 90 90 90.
Where to get help
If you're worried about your self harming, or about a friend's self-harming, there is help available. A good first step is to talk to your GP, counsellor, Youth Worker or helplines. They can give you general advice and information. They may also be able to refer you to specialist support.
A specialist is someone with a good understanding of self-harming. They may be survivors of self injury themselves, or people with a lot of knowledge about what helps young people stop self-harming. They can help you:
- Find safer ways to relieve stress
- Learn how to relax without self-harming
- Harm yourself less, or less dangerously
Self injury is a hard habit to break, but with support and determination, most people are able to stop self-harming.
More self harm and self injury information websites
- www.selfharm.org.uk Support, info sheets, links to help, and more from the Site
- www.firstsigns.org.uk Information, advice, and links to forums, including a young person's forum
- www.selfinjurysupport.org.uk Support, information, helpline for young women
