Suicide and self harm
As a result of changes in behaviour, mood, thoughts, and through the experience of sometimes extremely distressing symptoms; people with a severe mental illness are at an increased risk of self harming, or committing suicide.
If you are thinking or engaging in self harm, or have thoughts about suicide; or whether you are the friend or relative of someone you suspect is at risk, being aware of the early signs and indications may help avoid later harm or even death.
Self harm
is a deliberate act by an individual who intends to harm themselves in some way. There are many ways in which people self harm. Among the most commons ways are:
- Cutting
- burning
- causing physical harm by banging against something or hitting
- scratching
- poisoning (including alcohol and drugs).
Taking drugs to self-harm is different to taking drugs for pleasure. A person who self harms takes drugs to deliberately cause harm to themselves.
Suicide
is one of the leading causes of death worldwide and is an important public health problem. The World Health Organisation reports that suicide is the fourth leading cause of death and sixth leading cause of ill health and disability among those aged 15-44 years of age (World Health Organisation, 2000).
