Why Do Individuals Self-Harm?
Cutting and Self-Harm
Self-harm or self-injury is a way for an
individual to express and deal with distress
and emotionally painful situations.
A self-injurer may feel better afterwards, for
a little while. Unfortunately, the painful
feelings return, and the urge to self-injure
returns as well. If you want to stop, but
don’t know how, remember: you deserve to
feel better, and you can feel better without
hurting yourself.
Most self-injurers attempt to keep what they
do to themselves a secret. They may feel
ashamed or feel like no one understands why
they self-injure. Sadly, the secrecy and guilt
of self-injury and guilt affects one’s
relationship with his or her family, friends,
and the way one feels about him or herself.
Myths about Self-Injury
If the cuts
aren't bad,
it's not
serious.
Self-injuerers
want to die
or kill
themselves.
Selfinjurers are
trying to get
attention.
Self-injuerers
are crazy or
dangerous.
“It expresses emotional pain or feelings that I
cannot put into words.”
“It’s a way for me to control my body....I can’t
control anything else in my life.”
It is important to acknowledge that self-harm
has a purpose – otherwise individuals would not
do it. Some reasons that individuals use selfharm may include the following:
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Express feelings that one cannot
put into words.
Release pain and tension that one
feels inside.
Help one feel in control.
Distract one from overwhelming
emotions or difficult life
circumstances.
Relieve guilt.
Punish and hurt.
Make one feel alive, or feel
something, instead of numbness.
Perhaps the most troubling component of
self-harm behaviors is that they often
become addictive. Once an individual has
experienced the release of emotions
associated with using self-harm, he or she
may find it difficult to use other options
when new painful situations arise. Often
these individuals lack the ability to
communicate their pain, feelings, and
emotions in healthier, more effective ways.
young people often said that their self-harm was
linked to the following types of issues:
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Many reported using self-harm because they felt
they had no other options for dealing with their
issues.
Research indicates that self-injury is not an
individual’s attempt to commit suicide. For
many, this behavior is the alternative that saves
them from suicide. They want to remain alive,
but find self-harm is their most helpful coping
option.
Warning Signs of Self-Injury
“I feel relieved and less anxious after I cut.”
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“I usually feel like I have a black hole in the pit
of my stomach, at least I feel pain.”
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Why Do Individuals Self-Harm?
The reasons why individuals self-harm vary.
Those who have used this behavior report
that self-injury gives temporary relief and a
sense of control over their lives. When asked
about the issues that led them to self-harm,
Being bullied in school or on social media
Feeling isolated or all alone
Not getting along with parents or others
Parents getting divorced
Grief
Feeling rejected (socially)
History of abuse
Low self-esteem
Issues related to sexuality (confusion, etc)
Others (close to them) using self-harm
Loss, death, or suicide of a close friend
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Unexplained frequent injury (cuts,
burns, marks, nicks, stick marks)
Wearing long pants or sleeves in
warm weather
Low self-esteem
Relationship problems
Poor functioning at home or school
Avoidance of activities that involve
showing themselves, such as
swimming or other recreational
activities
Secretive behaviors (may or may not)
“Self-harm and cutting don’t help with
the issues that made one want to
hurt him/herself in the first place.”
Need help for Self-Harm? Call the S.A.F.E.
Alternatives information line in the U.S. at
(800)366-8288 for more information.
Tips for Talking about Self-Harm
In the middle of a crisis? Need help now?
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
(800)273-8255
Focus on your feelings: talk about the
situation that led to the self-injury. This will
help the listener understand where you are
coming from.
Communicate in a way that makes you the
most comfortable. Don’t feel pressured to talk
about issues you are not ready to discuss but
begin to get in touch with your feelings.
Understand that support people need time to
process what you tell them. You may not like
the way they react, but realize they are
reacting because they care about you. The
more individuals understand self-harm, the
better they can support you.
Talking about self-harm can be very
emotionally overwhelming. Changing longstanding habits takes strength and courage,
but you will start to feel better as you work
through the emotions and issues involved.
Local Resources:
Information and
Resources for Parents
GCHS School Counselors:
Arts & Comm: Kristina Younkman
620 805-5419
Freshman Academy: Christy Schaefer
620 805-5448
Health: Jennifer Meng
620 805-5427
Public Service: Sheri Smith
620 805-5439
Trade: KaeLee Hogan
620 805-5426
Understanding SelfInjury or Self-Harm
GCHS Nurses’ Office: 805-5415
Area Mental Health Center: 276-7689
Christian Counseling: 276-1500
EKM Family Center: 271-1811
Websites:
Learn to manage overwhelming stress and
emotions.
National Mental Health Assoc. www.nmha. org
National Institute of Mental Health:
www.nhmi.org www.swlfharmuk.org
Identify your self-harm triggers so that you
can develop healthier options for handling
stress.
Books for parents:
www.helpguide.org/mental/selfinjury.htm
uses a 3 min. video titled Developing
Emotional Awareness (check it out)
Garden City High School
2720 Buffalo Way
Levenkron, Steven. (1998) Cutting:
Understanding and Overcoming Self-Mutilation.
Lader, Wendy PhD. and Karen Conterio
Bodily Harm
Alderman, Tracy, PhD. The Scarred Soul
Information in pamphlet was adapted from
Lincoln Board of Education/Lincoln Public Sch
and
www.helpguide.org/mental/selfinjury.htm