What is self harm?

For some young people, self harm is a one-off event. For others, it can happen several times or become a repeated behaviour that can be hard to change.

Self harm is when people deliberately hurt their bodies. Common forms of self harm include:

  • Cutting (e.g., cutting the skin on arms, wrists or thighs).
  • Burning the skin.
  • Picking at wounds or scars.
  • Hitting yourself.
  • Deliberately overdosing on medication, drugs or other harmful substances.