Self Injury
Self-injury typically refers to a variety of behaviors in which an individual intentionally inflicts harm to his or her body for purposes not socially recognized or sanctioned and without suicidal intent (ISSS, 2007).
Self-injury can include a variety of behaviors but is most commonly associated with:
Intentional cutting, carving, or puncturing of the skin
Scratching
Burning
Ripping or pulling skin or hair
Self-bruising (through punching objects with the intention of hurting oneself or punching oneself directly)
Self-injury is sometimes also called:
Deliberate self-harm or self-harm
Self-injurious behavior
Self-mutilation
Cutting
Non-suicidal self-injury
(Cornell Research Program)
Support
Contact a local mental health professional (therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, social worker) or your primary health care physician to seek advice.
The Crisis Text Line serves young people in any type of crisis, providing them access to free, 24/7, emotional support and information they need via the medium they already use and trust: TEXT.
Additional Resources
The Cornell Research Program on Self-Injury and Recovery provides numerous resources and links on the topic of self-injury and recovery. Here is a sample of some important links they provide:
The mission of the Self Injury Foundation is to provide funding for research, advocacy support and education for self-injurers, their loved ones and the professionals who work with them. We are dedicated to providing the most up to date information and resources available on self-injury.
Phone: 888-962-NSSI (6774)
Email Self Injury Foundation