Self-harmers
Self-harm
Self-harm is when somebody injures or harms themselves to cope with, or express extreme emotional distress.
Support is available for anyone who self-harms.
About 1 in 10 young people will self-harm at some point, but it can happen at any age. This is probably an under-estimate because the research is mostly based on people who go to hospital or their GP after harming themselves – and many do not.
Some examples of self-harming behaviour are:
- self-neglect
- drug and alcohol misuse
- attempted suicide
- eating disorders
- scars (from cutting).
Many people who harm themselves are struggling with intolerable distress or unbearable situations. They will often have struggled like this for some time before they self-harm.
Reasons that people may self-harm include:
- expressing or coping with emotional distress
- trying to feel in control
- a way of punishing themselves
- relieving unbearable emotional distress
- a cry for help
- a response to intrusive thoughts.
Self-harm may be linked to bad experiences that are happening now, or in the past. But sometimes the reason is unknown. The reasons can also change over time and will not be the same for everybody.
Types of mental health problems | What is self-harm? | Mind - Mind
Self-harm and suicide
There is evidence of a link between suicide or suicidal thoughts (ideation) and people who have previously self-harmed. However, not everyone who self-harms wants to end their life. Some people describe their self-harm as a way of staying alive by responding to, or coping with severe emotional distress.
It's important to get support or treatment as soon as possible to help with the underlying cause and prevent suicidal thoughts developing.
If you struggle with suicidal thoughts or are supporting someone else, the Staying Safe website provides information on how to make a safety plan. It includes video tutorials and online templates to guide you through the process.
Video: talking about self-harm
Why people self-harm - NHS
Getting help
It's important to know that support is available for anyone who self-harms or thinks about self-harm, as well as their friends and family.
It's best to talk to a GP about self-harm, but it may also be helpful to talk to a free listening service or support organisation.
Free listening services
These services offer confidential support from trained volunteers. You can talk about anything that's troubling you, no matter how difficult:
- Call 116 123 to talk to Samaritans, or email: jo@samaritans.org for a reply within 24 hours
- Text "SHOUT" to 85258 to contact the Shout Crisis Text Line
- Call 0800 585 858 to talk to Calm (if you're 15 years old or over) or use CALM webchat, both available from 5pm to midnight every day
- Call 0800 068 4141, text 07860 039967 or email pat@papyrus-uk.orgto contact HOPELINE247, available 24 hours a day
If you're under 19, you can also call 0800 1111 to talk to Childline. The number will not appear on your phone bill.
These services will only share your information if they are very worried about you or think you are in immediate danger.
Text 'SHOUT' to 85258 here for you 24/7
Shout: the UK's free, confidential and 24/7 mental health text service for crisis support | Shout 85258
Talking therapies involve talking to a trained professional about your thoughts, feelings and behaviour. The types of talking therapy recommended if you self-harm include: Cognitive behavioural therapy, and (CBT) Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT)
For urgent advice
Seek advice from 111 online or by calling 111 and selecting the mental health option. Alternatively phone the person's GP surgery to make an urgent appointment if you need urgent medical help but it is not a life threatening situation.
Call 999 or go to A&E immediately if someone's life is at risk, for example they have seriously injured themselves or taken an overdose.
Visit NHS 111 website
Self-help and support
Self-harm | Advice for young people | Get help | YoungMinds
Childline: Free national helpline for young people, free confidential advice on all sorts of problems: 0800 1111.
Samaritans: Telephone and email support for anyone who is worried, upset, or suicidal; 08457 90 90 90; ROI 116 123; email: jo@samaritans.org.
PAPYRUS HOPELine UK: a professionally staffed helpline providing support, practical advice and information to young people worried about themselves, and to anyone concerned that a young person may harm themselves. Tel: 0800 068 41 41.
Get Connected: offers help by telephone and email for people under 25 who self-harm. Tel: 0808 808 4994.
Selfharm.co.uk: a project dedicated to supporting young people who are affected by self-harm. Email: info@selfharm.co.uk.
Self Injury Support: provides a young women's text and email service, any age helpline for women who self-harm, UK-wide listings for self-harm support and self-help tools. Email: info@selfinjurysupport.org.uk.