Self-harm is more common among young people and people who suffer from mental health problems.

 

Self-harm and Self-injury

In the UK Self-harm is termed to cover all self-abusive behaviours though it can be useful to differentiate between self-harm and self-injury.

We characterise self-harm as a way to indirectly cause harm whereas self-injury is more direct and causes direct physical pain.

 

Facts about Self-Harm

The UK has one of the highest rates of self-harm in Europe

People with Mental Health problems are 20 times more likely to self-harm

The average age to start self-harming is 13

The ratio of boys to girls is 1:4

Over 13% of secondary school pupils engage in some self-harming behaviour

 

Why do Young People Self-Harm

Young People who intentionally hurt themselves do so often because they lack the coping skills to deal with difficult emotions

They may feel overwhelmed by painful emotions they have not experienced before and have not yet learned other ways of expressing them

 

Some examples of Self-harming behaviour:-

• Dangerous Driving
• Drug and Alcohol Abuse
• Gambling
• Over or Under Eating
• Perfectionism
• Sexual behaviours that puts self at risk
• Smoking
• Staying in abusive relationships

Some examples of Self-injury:-

• Carving/branding/marking
• Cutting/burning/scolding/scratching
• Head banging
• Insertion of objects
• Picking and pulling the skin
• Pull out hair/eyelashes
• Self-punching/bruising/bone breaking
• Strangulation/suffocation

Contributory Factors

• Abusive relationships
• Conflict with Parents
• Insecurity
• Isolation
• Low Self-esteem
• Past Trauma
• Peer pressure
• Rejection
• Relationship breakdown
• School pressure
• Unrealistic expectations

 

What's the point

People often describe a feeling of euphoria when they have self-harm. The injury releases endorphins into the bloodstream resulting in a “natural high” The pursuit of this feeling is what sustains self-harming behaviours, which become habit-forming and ultimately addictive Cycle of Self-abusive behaviour - Experience of negative emotions – sadness, anger, despair, etc.

Tension – inability to control emotion – use of dissociation to cope with tension. Act of self-harm – cutting, burning, etc. Positive effect – endorphins released; tension and negative feelings are dispelled. Negative effect – shame and guilt over the act of self-harm and then the cycle starts all over again.

 

How can you help

• Showing understanding
• Helping the Young Person to express their feelings openly
• Reassuring them that they are not alone
• Receiving what they say respectfully and positively
• Encouraging them to talk about past or current events that trigger the cycle of self-abuse
• Encouraging them to talk to others – parents, friends, teachers, etc.
• Support them in seeking out a Counsellor
• Strategies that can help:
• Setting small goals to help reduce Self-harm – Never suggest stopping straight away as the harming will only be done in secret.
• Offering coping skills to help manage difficult feelings such as exercising or listening to music
• Talking about the “15-minute rule” – this is when they feel they need to self-harm, they wait 15 minutes to see if they still need to harm
• Helping the Young Person to identify triggers
• Noticing and affirming small achievements
• Measuring progress
• Celebrating increased self-awareness and ability to manage own behaviour

 

If you or your organisation are looking for support for staff who feel they need additional support Poole Therapies offers professional guidance and services tailored to your needs. We work with businesses to promote mental well-being and provide strategies to manage the emotional impact of the work. To find out more, visit Poole Therapies for Businesses or get in touch with us directly. We're here to help.