Practical Advice for Self-Harm

Some people might hurt themselves because of feelings or symptoms associated with an existing mental illness such as depression, which is overwhelming for the person suffering, creating a sense that harming themselves is the only way they can feel a'relief' to their feelings.

If someone is self-harming, there is a possibility it could be a cry for help. It could be a way of saying "I am not okay" or "I need some support" without verbally communicating it. Some people do this because they could feel worried or anxious about asking for help or support directly.

Self-harm is extremely addictive to the person affected, making them feel that once they start it, it is 'impossible' to stop. The scratching, cutting, burning, and hair pulling associated with self-harm all provide 'comfort' or'relief' to the person hurting themselves.

The open nature of the internet means that there are huge amounts of potentially 'inappropriate' content made accessible for young or vulnerable people to view and download at the click of a button.

Posts surrounding the topic of self-harm have become highlighted and amplified by the internet and social media, exposing more people to potentially dangerous content that 'glorifies' self-harm. This can be a potential 'trigger' for anybody with an existing self-harm-related problem or for young people and teenagers who can be intrigued by self-harm.

People with a tendency to harm themselves can start looking for other ways to release or ease the pain and frustration of their situation.

As the problem of cyberbullying and digital abuse continues to grow, we are seeing a new kind of self-harm begin to emerge, known as cyber self-harm or digital self-harm, where people post abusive and upsetting content aimed at themselves online.

Someone who frequently self-harms may become triggered to harm themselves by viewing content that is available online, such as 'suicide blogs' or posts promoting self-harm and suicide.

Recently, sinister online challenges and games have started to gain media traction, such as the 'Blue Whale Challenge,' which reportedly pressures young and vulnerable people to undertake degrading and dangerous tasks, including self-harm, and eventually to commit suicide.