Self-Harm

'Self-Harm' describes a wide range of actions by which people cause deliberate harm to themselves. In the vast majority of cases, self-harm is a secretive behaviour that people to go great lengths to hide. Therefore, it can go on for a long time without being discovered. 

Self-harm may involve, amongst other things:

  • cutting
  • burning
  • scalding
  • hitting
  • scratching
  • breaking bones
  • hair pulling
  • ingesting toxic substances or objects.

Self-Harm is a major health issue amongst young people in the UK. According to the Mental Health Foundation, it affects an estimated one in fifteen people between the ages of 11 and 25.

Why Do People Self-Harm?

In 2006, the Mental Health Foundation and the Camelot Foundation published the results of a two-year-long inquiry into self-harm in young people. Most of the young people they heard evidence from said they used self-harm as a way of dealing with intense emotional pain. When asked about the issues which lead them to self-harm, the most common answers were:

  • Being bullied
  • Bereavement
  • Family problems, parents getting divorced
  • Stress of school or university work and exams
  • Feeling socially isolated or rejected
  • Physical, sexual or vebal abuse
  • Self-harm or suicide of somebody close to them
  • Problems to do with sexuality, race, culture or religion
  • Low self-esteem

Self-harm offers only temporary relief, and it doesn't address the underlying problems which lead up to it, so people often end up in a cycle of repeatedly harming themselves to try and cope. Many people who self-harm are afraid to talk about it or seek help. They tend to feel that self-harm is their only coping strategy, and that if they tell somebody, it will be taken away from them. Many are also worried about not being taken seriously.

Myths about Self-Harm

There are many negative stereotypes attached to self-harm, mainly because most people don't understand it very well. Some people think self-harm is something people do 'to get attention', as if therefore it ought to be ignored. Most people actually try very hard to keep it a secret, but although some people do self-harm as a cry for help, they deserve to be taken seriously, not ignored. 

Other myths include the idea that self-harm is used to manipulate other people, that it's something only teenagers do, or that it's not serious unless the injury caused is severe. It's also important to distinguish between self-harm and attempted suicide, because they are not the same thing. People who self-harm do not necessarily want to kill themselves.

First Aid

  • If you do harm yourself, or if somebody you know has harmed themselves, it's very important to use basic first aid to care for any injuries.
  • The most important thing is to stop any bleeding. Apply direct pressure to the wound with a sterile dressing, and raise the affected body part above your chest if possible. If the bleeding won't stop or you start to feel faint, call 999 straight away.
  • Burns should be treated by holding the area under very cold running water for at least 10 minutes for non-chemical burns and at least half an hour for chemical burns.
  • All wounds should be cleaned properly with antiseptic wipes or antibacterial soap and water, dried thoroughly and then covered with a dressing to prevent infection.
  • In all cases of poisoning, swallowing objects or suspected broken bones, you should call 999.

 Coping with Self-Harm

  • Although it can be difficult to talk about self-harm, telling somebody about the problem is the first step towards getting help. You can talk in complete confidence to any member of the welfare team, the university counselling service, Nightline etc, or alternatively to a friend you know you can trust.
  • The best way to stop self-harming is to deal with the underlying issues which cause you to do it in the first place. Identifying how you feel before you self-harm and finding other ways to cope is very important.
  • There are many things you can do to avoid self-harming. People who responded to the national inquiry of self-harm suggested using a red felt tip pen to mark the areas you usually harm, hitting pillows instead of yourself, screaming or crying to let out your emotions, getting some exercise, writing in a journal, calling a friend for a chat or distracting yourself with something creative.
  • Talking to other people who self-harm on an online forum can help you feel less alone, and they can provide excellent advice on quitting. There's a very long list of coping strategies for people who self-harm here on the Bodies Under Siege support forum.

If you are worried about a friend or loved one who self-harms, try bringing it up with them by explain that you are concerned, and if they are prepared to talk about it, just listen and allow them to talk. Don't try to force somebody to stop self-harming, they need to do this in their own time. Finding out somebody you care about is harming themselves intentionally can be very distressing. It may help you to talk to a counsellor or a member of the welfare committee.

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