What is self-harm and how can I get help?
Self-harm, also known as self-injury, is harming yourself on purpose. Self-harm isn’t a mental illness but it is often linked to mental distress. You may self-harm because you find it difficult to cope with your moods or share how you are feeling. This page can help you understand why people self-harm as well as where to look for help and support.
Should I Cover my Scars from self-harming?
If you have scars from self-harming, there may come a time when you want to cover them up before heading out for the day. Fortunately, there are a few ways you can camouflage your scars to keep them hidden. If you are still self-harming, consider reaching out to a mental health professional to learn healthy coping mechanisms.
What are some examples of self-harm?
For example, you may be very angry towards a person or about a situation. But you are unable to tell the person how you are feeling or sort the situation out. Whatever the reason you self-harm, there is support available to help you stop or reduce self-harm.
Can you wear board shorts with scars from swimming?
If the scars are at the top of your thighs, most board shorts will hide them, and since they are actually made for swimming, you’re not likely to get a lot of questions from your friends. Board shorts come in all lengths, so if your scars are lower on your thighs, try longer board shorts or even men’s swimming trunks.
Is self-harm a mental illness?
Self-harm isn’t a mental illness, but it is often linked to mental distress. You may self-harm because you find it difficult to cope with your moods or how you feel. Everyone has their own reasons for selfharming. Drinking a lot of alcohol or taking drugs may increase your risk of self-harm.
What’s the difference between self-harm and cutting?
Self-harm isn’t just cutting — it’s any form of hurting yourself on purpose. “Cutting is the most well-known type of self-harm, but there are a lot of ways to hurt yourself. Some things leave a mark and some don’t, but they’re all legitimate and serious forms of self-injury.”
What age do people self-harm?
Subsequently, people self-harm for many reasons. These reasons often correlate with the age a person starts to self-harm. It’s possible that self-harming behaviour can start as early as 4 years old. However, typically, you’ll find the highest of cases start around the teenage years. This is not to say that it can’t start at a later age.