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Self Injury

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Self injury

WE DO NOT PROVIDE CRISIS SERVICES

 

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 9-1-1.

If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8.  Support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline.

SELF INJURY

Self-injury, (also referred to as self-harm, intentional injury, or Non-Suicidal Self Injury (NSSI), describes when a person injures their own body on purpose. Examples include cutting, burning, head banging, pulling out hair etc. Majority of individuals who self-injure do not plan to end their life, although sometimes individuals can injure themselves more than intended. Self-injuring behaviour may be a sign that someone is in need of support and care.

Source:  adapted Canadian Mental Health Association, 2023

According to the 2021 Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey (OSDUHS), 20% of high-school students reported injuring themselves on purpose. In Simcoe Muskoka, self-injury rates are highest among youth 10 to 19 years old and are substantially higher among females. Research shows that people of all ages, genders, cultures and backgrounds self-injure.

Source:  adapted Simcoe Muskoka HealthSTATS, 2016-2020 and OSDUHS, 2021

The health unitis working to raise awareness of the incidence of self-injury, and the impact on the health of our communities.

We:

  • Are working to build partnerships with community organizations in an effort to increase knowledge of safer self-injury, and to create supportive environments within our communities.  
  • Provide access to data and resources for community stakeholders.

What Matters to Your Health

  • Self-injury is a hidden coping behaviour that can indicate a need for support and connection.
  • Self-injury is most common among ages 10-19.
  • Self-injury and suicide are distinct in treatment, and are related in root -causes including trauma.
     

The motivation behind self-injury can be complicated. Some commonly reported reasons include:

  • Hurting ‘outside’ can shift away from painful emotions ‘inside’
  • To feel better – a way to release emotions like anger, or to feel ‘something’ when experiencing numbness
  • To communicate emotional pain – a visual way of reaching out for help
  • To feel a sense of control – a way to regain control when feeling powerless 
  • To punish self – self-blame for perceived faults
 

Regardless of the reason leading someone to self-injure, the act is a way to cope with negative feelings and stressors. 

Source:  Adapted from Canadian Mental Health Association, 2020 

Harm reduction in self-injury recognizes that stopping may not be realistic for everyone. For some, the act of self-injury may help cope with, and prevent from acting on, suicidal thoughts. As a result, it means providing people who self-injure with information and resources they need to minimize the injury and prevent secondary issues like infection.

Safer self-injury can:

  • reduce the number of deaths as a result of self-injury
  • reduce the risk of infection by providing clean implements and first aid materials 
  • reduce severe injury with anatomy education to ensure that the location of self-injury is the least dangerous site
  • connect to supportive environments where individuals can access health, counselling and social services
  • offer suggestions on distraction strategies, and alternatives, to replace physical or visual sensations, with safer options.

Source:  adapted Self-Injury Support UK, 2023

Harm Reduction Resources

The National Self-Harm Network (UK) – Cutting the Risk – Self-Harm, Self-Care and Risk Reduction
Self-Injury Support UK (UK) – Harm Minimization

If someone you know is self-injuring:

  • Ask how they are feeling 
  • Do not judge – let them know you care
  • Educate yourself about self-injury – understanding self-injury, can help you, provide support 
  • Do not promise confidentiality – tell a trusted adult or a professional counselor 
  • Do not focus on the behaviour itself – self-injury usually means, that someone is struggling, and could use some support 
  • Encourage them to seek professional help.

Centre for Suicide Prevention –Self-harm and Suicide Prevention Toolkit
Canadian Mental Health Association – Understanding and Finding Help for Self-Harm
Self-Injury Outreach and Support – Self-Injury: A General Guide
Self-Injury Outreach and Support – Myths vs Facts
Kids Help Phone – Self-Injury: What it is and how to cope.
Kids Help Phone – 6 Ways to Support Someone Dealing with Self-Injury
Cornell Research Program on Self-Injury and Recovery – What is Self-Injury?
MindYourMind (Connex Ontario) – Self-Harm
CHEO – Helping Children and Youth who Self-Harm
Children Mental Health Ontario – Suicide and Self-Harm Resources
JACK.org – Self-Injury and Self-Harm

Profession Help in Simcoe County

E-Mental Health
Canadian Mental Health Association
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