Self-harm is the act of deliberately hurting one’s own body, most commonly by cutting, burning, or hitting. It is not, as is sometimes assumed, attention-seeking. For most people who self-harm, it is a way of coping with emotional pain that has become too much to manage any other way: a way of feeling something, feeling less, or expressing what cannot yet be put into words.
Self-harm is more common than many people realise, particularly among teenagers and young adults, though it can affect people of any age. It is almost always a sign that something significant is happening emotionally, and it deserves a compassionate and non-judgmental response.
If you are in immediate danger
If you are in crisis right now, please contact the Samaritans on 116 123 (free, 24 hours a day), or go to your nearest A&E. The NHS also offers urgent mental health support: call 111 and select the mental health option.
How therapy can help
Therapy for self-harm focuses not on the behaviour in isolation, but on what is underneath it. At Inner Space, we offer a space where you can explore difficult emotions without fear of judgment or alarm. We work at a pace that feels manageable, helping you understand what the self-harm is communicating and gradually develop other ways of meeting those needs.
This work often connects with depression, anxiety, trauma, self-esteem, and for younger clients, our adolescent therapy service.
Mind and Self Harm UK offer information, guidance, and support for people who self-harm and those who care about them.