Youth and Mental Health 101 | CAMH

 

 

 

 

What is self-harm?

When people hurt themselves on purpose, it’s considered self-harm or self-injury. Common acts of self-harm include poisoning, such as with painkillers, chemical solvents (e.g., sniffing gasoline) and alcohol.¹ Other methods include cutting skin, burning skin, hitting yourself to the point of injury and preventing wounds from healing. Self-injury itself isn’t a mental illness, but it may be a sign that someone needs additional care and support.²

People self-harm for many different reasons:³

To cope with anxiety or depression
To cope with loss, trauma, violence or other difficult situations
To punish themselves
To turn emotional pain into physical pain
To feel “real” and counter feelings of emptiness or numbness
To feel euphoria
To regain control of their bodies
To simply feel better

Self-harm is not necessarily related to suicidal thoughts. Stressful life events and existing mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety, are the main causes of self-harming thoughts and behaviours.⁴

 

 

 

 

How might self-harm affect you?

Sometimes, self-harming behaviours can become habitual and addictive, and escalating or repetitive behaviours can be dangerous. If you self-harm, it’s important to take care of your injuries. If you’re worried about an injury or your self-harm behaviour, talk to your doctor, go to your local hospital or call 911.

People who self-harm often hide the behaviour. They may feel embarrassed or ashamed, and they may avoid talking about it. If you’re worried about a friend or family member, you may find the “Conversation starters” helpful.⁵