Self-Harm

Self-harm is any behavior that someone deliberately does to hurt him or herself. It can include any type of bodily harm that someone inflicts on themselves, such as cutting or scratching, burning, picking at scabs or preventing wounds from healing, causing an infection, or punching oneself or objects. 

People who self-injure often do so repeatedly over an extended period of time as a way of coping with intense stress or other overwhelming emotions. These behaviors pose serious health risks and may be symptoms of a mental health problem. You may have noticed that a friend has some unusual or recurring injuries that lead you to wonder about whether they are harming themselves.

Signs a Friend May Self-Harm

• Frequent unexplained injury, particularly of the same or similar type
• Insistence on wearing concealing clothing (e.g. long pants and sleeves in hot weather)
• Being unusually wary about allowing other people to see particular parts of their body that are not typically considered 'private' (e.g. feet, arms)
• Difficulty with expressing and managing feelings
• Low self-esteem
• Other signs of a mental health problem, such as depression or an eating disorder

How You Can Protect Our Pride

• If you witness a serious injury in need of urgent medical attention (cuts that won't stop bleeding, large/severe burns, swelling indicative of broken bones, etc.), call the Department of Public Safety at (413) 748-5555 or take your friend to the Health Center or emergency room immediately.
• Self-harm is typically not a suicide attempt, but rather a way to cope with emotional pain. Don't assume that your friend is suicidal if you notice self-harming behavior that is not likely to be lethal.
• Be on guard for behavior that suggests worsening symptoms. People who self-injure may increase the severity of the harm over time, cause more harm than they had intended, develop increasingly self-destructive behavior in general, or become suicidal out of a sense of hopelessness.
• Ask your friend about what you have noticed. Express your concern.
• Listen if he or she wants to talk about what is going on.
• Don't be judgmental or suggest that the harm is just a way to get attention.
• Express your support and encourage your friend to seek professional help to learn better ways to cope with how he or she is feeling.