Self-harm is a complex and often misunderstood behaviour. For some people, self-harm is a way to cope with or express emotional distress, for other people it can feel like the only way to control difficult feelings or punish themselves.  

Understanding self-harm 

Self-harm is harming yourself on purpose. This can be scratching, hitting, cutting, overdosing on medication, biting or burning.  

Self-harm is often a response to overwhelming emotions or situations. It is a coping mechanism for dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, or trauma. It is not classified as a mental illness but is often linked to mental distress.  

Coping with emotional pain 

For some people, the physical act of hurting oneself can give a temporary sense of relief or escape from intense emotions.  

The pain can also be a distraction or serve as a release of pent-up feelings, which might give the sense of having some control over the emotional pain they’re going through.  

Communicating feelings 

All too often, self-harm is described as a cry for help or dismissed as way to “get attention”. While some individuals might self-harm as a way to express feelings they cannot put into words, it is something that must be taken seriously.  

Ways to not self-harm 

If you have the urge to self-harm, you can try:  

• Screaming into a pillow
• Writing how you feel, then rip it up
• Punch a punching bag or kick something soft
• Going for a walk, run, or exercising  

If you or someone you know is struggling with self-harm, visit our self-harm fact sheet to understand more and for ways to help.