Self-harm fact check

Self-harm is a a way to communicate distress, rather than a way of seeking attention.

Many young people self-harm to manage very difficult and painful feelings. They may struggle to express how they feel with words, and it may be too difficult to talk about their problems. 

Self-harm can sometimes be a group behaviour, but not because it's fashionable. It may be to strengthen bonds with peers, signal group identity, or because their peers told them it is an effective mechanism to cope with distress. 

Collective self-harming should always be taken seriously. It is important to work with young people who engage in such group behaviours on a one-to-one basis, rather than reinforce the group mentality.

Some guidelines suggest that it is best to avoid describing self-harm behaviours in great detail (e.g. avoiding conversations about methods of self-harm) but recommend that self-harm is included in a wider discussion about mental health.

Talking to young people about self-harm doesn’t put the idea in their head or encourage them to try it. Instead, it opens up an important conversation and can help young people to spot signs of distress in themselves and others.

Around 20% of those who self-harm in adolescence will continue to do so into adulthood.

Some young people who self-harm will stop self-harming without any interventions, but others won’t. It’s impossible to know which category an individual will fall into, and therefore intervening early and supporting young people who self-harm is crucial.

Both boys and girls self-harm. Self-harm is often viewed as something that mostly girls do, so boys who self-harm can be missed or overlooked.

Girls may be more likely to cut or scratch themselves. Boys may be more likely to use methods such as burning, hitting, or head banging.