Warning signs

There is no such thing as a typical self-harmer, and anyone has the potential to self-harm.

It can be very difficult to identify someone who is self-harming, particularly if the young person is trying to keep the behaviour secret.

Here are some signs that may indicate that someone is self-harming;

• Poor functioning at school
• Unexplained, frequent injuries
• Wearing long sleeves, long trousers etc. in warm weather
• Appears lonely, isolated, withdrawn or uninterested
• Low self-esteem
• Difficulty handling feelings and emotions
• Elusive, evasive or secretive, especially if asked about injuries
• Carrying razors, lighters or sharp objects that are not normally needed
• Any major change in behaviour of any kind.
  

Children as young as five to seven years old may attempt to harm themselves, although it is more common for young people to begin self-harming around the age of thirteen.

Self-harm is much more common among girls than boys during the teenage years.

Although self-harm may arise seemingly ‘out of the blue’ there are some life experiences that appear to increase the risk. These include;

• Sexual abuse
• Neglect
• Emotional abuse
• Physical abuse
• Loss or separation
• Parental mental health problems
• Parental substance misuse
  

Other contributing factors may be stresses that a young person is currently facing. For example, visitor numbers to this site rise substantially just before exam time and the stress of coping with exams on top of other emotional difficulties is often mentioned in correspondence we receive. Bullying, pressure to fit in etc. may also contribute to stress leading to self-harm.

“I was like this [self-harming] for a few weeks before I got the courage to go to my form tutor for help. I have got to say that he has been brilliant through this and has supported me fantastically. He worked his socks off for me……. If you don’t get that help, things will not get better.”