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Shockingly, 2% to 6% of the general public had engaged in self-harm at least once in their lifetime. Where the peak of self harm actions are among students, ages 16 – 22, see falls in 13% to 35%. For most, the problem will resolve before adulthood but sadly, 10% of the remaining still continues to self harm throughout their adult lives.

With such a high percentage of people doing self harm, it is important that these people receive self harm help from their surroundings. Those around people who self harm should know how to spot self harm signs and actions to be able to give them the help that they need through your own self harm awareness.

Bare in mind that, if you know someone doing self-harm, you should not be horrified and label them “crazy” or “freak” for it brings about more insecurities for them  and it doesn’t help at all; Instead approach them with understanding and acceptance.

It is important to know what drives these individuals to self harm in order to help them resolve their problems. Helping someone who self harms is a noble act; you are fighting their demons with them. People who self harm clearly have reasons as to why they are so unhappy and insecure. These reasons can drive them into injuring themselves, or even to suicide in some extreme cases.

A research stated that the most common cause of reason for self-harm is childhood trauma. It may relate to past-abuse, flashbacks, negative feelings about themselves or any other traumatic events that had occurred earlier. People who suffer in traumatic events may have unstable mood swings and emotions, recurring nightmares and a constant sense of fear. They may also feel numb, disconnected and have problem trusting other people. These are common traits of a trauma survivor, but with care and support it is possible to be able to open up and trust again.

If you notice someone with suspicious injuries or someone confide in you that they are cutting themselves, don’t panic and deal with your feelings first. You may feel shocked, disgusted or even angry, but understand that this is normal and deal with it before you try to help them. These things can help with dealing with self harm so once you’ve done managing your feelings, you help them by acknowledging and understanding their problem, what causes them this pain and urge to self harm; put yourself in their shoes. Then you offer your support without any judgment and unwanted criticism. Know that a person who self harms already feel ashamed and lost therefore you judging them is not in any way helpful. Give them your support by letting them know that you are available.

Encourage communication and listen.

Here’s a story of a mother and daughter about self-harm and how they finally got the strength to get help.

Read more at Self-Injury: One Family’s Story

 Do you often wonder why some people  self harm or self mutilate or self injury?

Self harm comes under a lot of names – self mutilation, cutting, self injury, deliberate self harm – but all refer to one thing, hurting oneself to ease the burden of deep distressing emotional symptoms. Furthermore, it can also come in many various forms such as cutting (being the most widespread form), burning, hitting, picking skins, scratching, and pulling the hairs out.

Self injury is detrimental to young people’s well being.  Consequently,  support  for self harm help has been created and developed and resource materials for teachers are also given to increase self harm awareness  and self harm help as well as to find ways to stop self harming pupils, where possible.

Self injury or self harm is generally not suicidal but a coping mechanism and a way of regulating deep emotional pain.

7  Top Self Harm Help Strategies

Here are the Top 7 ways to stop self harming or minimize it:

•  Cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT

Self harming is only a symptom of deep emotional distress. CBT can be used to help individuals recognize and learn to address their  feelings in rather healthier ways.

• Psychotherapy

It can be used either together with medications treating mental illnesses or simply alone. Otherwise known as “therapy”, psychotherapy actually entails various treatment techniques during which a person talks to professionals for mental health and care who will help the individual identify the problems and work through different ways to give self harm support.

• Post traumatic stress therapy

The objective of this treatment is to decrease physical and emotional symptoms which lead to self harm.

• Group therapy

Self harm training courses offers self harm awareness for anyone. Group therapy, on the other hand, is especially aimed at those who self harm, thereby talking within a group with people who  experience the same problems which can be very helpful in reducing shame associated with self injury, as well as introduce healthy ways of expressing emotions.

• Family therapy

Family Therapy addresses family history, prevailing conditions and  other related behaviour which can help both the young person who self harms and the family members to learn better communication methods and be more open and directly expressive to one another.

• Hypnosis and relaxation techniques

There are a range of relaxation techniques and approaches which will help young people and others who self harm to release some fo the stress, tension and pressure that they are experiencing, which in turn is likely to helpt o reduce self harming.

• Medications

Self harm can be a remedy for coping with depression, medications such as antidepressants and anti-anxiety can be used to minimize the early impulsive responses to stress. Best advice is always to speak to your physician and seek their advice and/or referral to any of the above options.