Self-harm refers to behaviour that is done to deliberately harm themselves. This can include behaviours such as:
- Cutting
- Hitting or bruising
- Scratching
- Skin picking
- Burning
- Intentionally taking too much medication
- Suffocation
Self-harm can be used as a way to manage difficult emotions without being a suicidal attempt. However, self-harm may result in accidental death.
Some signs to look out for if we suspect our young people are engaging in self-harm include:
Unexplained cuts, bruises, burns, blood on clothes
Keeping themselves covered. For example, choosing to wear long sleeved clothing or longer pants to cover their arms and thighs. They may avoid changing in front of others or avoid going to the beach/pool.
Withdrawing from friends and family.
Low mood, depression, lack of interest in things that used to interest them.
Expressing feelings of failure, hopelessness, anger.
There are often no clear-cut reasons for why young people self-harm. Some possible functions include:
- Help manage extreme emotional distress.
- Distraction. The physical pain may serve to distract them from the emotional pain.
- To express emotions such as hurt, anger, frustration.
- A form of escape.
- An attempt to regain control over feelings or difficulties.
- To elicit care from others.
- To identify with a peer group.
- Self-harm can also be a suicide attempt.
If a young person you know has engaged in self-harm, please do not panic. Let them know that you are here for them, and that you are not judging them. Be prepared to listen to what they have to say without minimising their thoughts and feelings. Some young people may prefer to speak to someone else, such as a doctor, school counsellor, or a psychologist. Possible avenues of online help include:
Tinkle Friend Online Chat: Provides support, advice, and information to lonely and distressed primary school children (13 years old and below), especially in situations when their parents or main caregivers are unavailable. Operating hours: Mon to Thurs: 2.30pm - 7pm, Fri: 2.30pm - 5pm
SOS: Provides 24/7 support for those in crisis and/or those thinking about suicide. Contact them through their hotline (1767), CareText (WhatsApp 9151 1767), or CareMail (pat@sas.org.sg).
If there is serious concern to the safety of the young person, please call 995 or approach the medical facilities nearest to you such as General Practitioner (GP), Polyclinic or Accident & Emergency Department (A&E).
In addition to short-term support, young people may benefit from seeking psychological therapy to work on building up a longer-term safety plan and to find ways to cope with difficult emotions and experiences.