What is self-harm?

Self-harm is when someone intentionally sets out to harm themselves. This may be an impulsive act or may be planned.

Young people self-harm in different ways with the most common methods being:

• Cutting and scratching
• Self-poisoning
• Burning
• Hitting or punching oneself
• Head banging and hair pulling
• Engaging in risky behaviour

Around half of young people who self-harm will harm themselves more than once.

Last updated: 15 August, 2016