Self-injury, which is often also called self-mutilation, self-harm or deliberate self-harm, describes actions where the intention and result is direct physical damage and/or pain. It includes acts such as self-cutting, burning, picking, scratching, hitting, breaking bones, rubbing abrasive substances into the skin, tying ligatures, and ingesting toxins and sharp objects.

Why does someone injure themselves?

Self-injury is a way of coping with, managing and/or expressing highly distressing circumstances, experiences and feelings which a person has no other way to deal with. It usually has a very deep meaning and purpose for the individual and it is a way of surviving otherwise intolerable difficulties.

What is the difference between self-injury and suicide?

Someone who injures themselves is trying to stay alive and cope by whatever means are available to them. Attempted suicide, suicide, and para-suicide (repeated failed suicide-attempts) are an attempt to escape intolerable circumstances through death. Self-injury and suicide are often conflated under the term ‘deliberate self-harm’ which is confuses the difference between the two. That is not to say, however, that people who self-injure are not potentially vulnerable to suicide, in that if their distress and its causes are not addressed, or if their coping mechanism is removed, they may become suicidal. Indeed, there is a higher vulnerability to suicide amongst all distress behaviours, including eating disorders and addictions as well as self-injury, but that does not mean those behaviours in themselves are suicidal or that the individual will necessarily become suicidal.

What kind of people injure themselves?

Self-injury is often associated with young women and girls and/or people with mental illness but this is not the case. Self-injury is a universal phenomena it exists across all populations, ages, cultures and backgrounds and is much more common than we assume. People injure themselves for a variety of reasons, in lots of different ways, and at different stages in their life. There is no one type of person who might injure themselves.

What should I do if someone I know has injured themselves?

First of all don’t panic! They might have been doing this for a long time even though you have not been aware of it. Try and stay calm and respond with love and caring. Listen to the person and be aware that they are in distress and need support. If someone has ingested substances they need medical attention immediately and they might also need medical attention for other wounds or injuries. It would be very helpful if you could accompany the person to A&E and offer them support while they are being treated. It is important for everyone to remember that all persons seeking help are entitled to the same level of respect, sympathy and care regardless of how their injuries have been caused.

What should I do if I hurt myself?

There is no one answer to this, everyone is different and finds different things helpful and unhelpful. It is important, however, that you know that you are not alone, that many people cope with life in this way and that there are ways that you can get support and care for yourself. The Hurt Yourself Less Workbook (which you can download for free from the resources page of this site) was written by and for people who hurt themselves and might be a good starting point for you.

Here are some helpful organisations and websites:

Republic of Ireland

Pieta House                                     www.pieta.ie

Old Lucan Road
Lucan

Co. Dublin

Tel: (01) 601 00 00
Email: mary@pieta.ie

Offers free, specialist therapeutic support for those who self-injure or who are at risk of suicide.

ChildLine                                          www.childline.ie

Run by the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, provides free and confidential support for children and young people by telephone, text and online.

Tel: 1800 66 66 66 (24 hours)

Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy

www.irish-counselling.ie

21 Dublin Road

Bray Co.

Wicklow

Tel: 01 2723427

Fax: 01 2869933

Will provide list of fully accredited, qualified and registered therapists in Ireland. It is a good idea to check with individual therapists if, and how, they work with people who experience self-injury as practice varies widely.

Deirdre Leahy, BA, Counsellor and psychotherapist. 

Pre-accredited with IACP.

Client-centred approach, based on the development of a trusting, respectful, non-judgemental relationship. Therapy aims to be empowering, providing a safe place for clients to work through difficulties, feelings and experiences including self-injury. Fees on a sliding scale.

Contact: Mob: 087 3658262  Email: leahycounsellor@eircom.net

Northern Ireland

Zest                                                    www.zestni.org

The Gate Lodge

91 Strand Road

Derry City

Tel: 028 7126 6999
Fax: 028 7126 9294

Specialised support service for people who self-injure and those who are at risk of suicide.

UK/International

Bristol Crisis Service for Women           www.selfinjurysupport.org.uk  

Bristol Crisis Service for Women
PO Box 654
Bristol

BS99 1XH

UK

Tel: (0044) 117  9279600

Helpline (0044) 117 9251119

Email: bcsw@btconnect.com

Bristol Crisis Service for Women is a national organisation that supports girls and women in emotional distress and particularly women who harm themselves. They run a national helpline and a text and email support service (which can be accessed from Ireland), they also produce research, information and publications about self-injury; offer talks and training courses to professionals; support self-injury self-help groups

harm-ed                                           www.harm-ed.co.uk

PO BOX 1045
Brierfield
Nelson
BB9 4BA

Tel: 01282 698530

Information and training for those who work with and support people who self-injure, and specialist training in a number of areas including a harm-reduction.

LifeSIGNS                                         www.lifesigns.org.uk

Self-injury guidance and support network