When someone hurts themselves to deal with painful and difficult feelings, it's called self-harm. Read below to find out more about the self-harming behaviour and how to get help.
How do I know if I'm self-harming?
If you've tried one or more of the following activities, you have tried to harm yourself:
- Cutting
- Burning
- Scalding
- Stabbing
- Banging body parts against a wall
- Hair-pulling
- Biting
- Breaking bones
- Jumping from heights or in front of vehicles
- Swallowing or inserting objects into your body
- Self-poisoning
What are some reasons for self-harm?
Self-harming is an unhealthy coping method. You might harm yourself to:
- Cope with anxiety or depression.
- Cope with loss, trauma, violence, or other difficult situations.
- Punish yourself.
- Turn emotional pain into physical pain.
- Feel 'real' and replace feelings of emptiness or numbness.
- Feel euphoria.
- Feel like you're in control of your body.
- Simply feel better.
I've harmed myself or I'm thinking about it. What should I do?
Get immediate help
- If you've recently hurt yourself, call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest hospital.
- Call the Crisis Centre if you're thinking of hurting yourself immediately.
Get help with coping skills
- Talk to a counsellor, mental health professional, a supportive adult, or attend a support group. Professionals can teach you healthy ways of coping with difficult feelings.
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