How to determine the level of risk behavior?
Self-harm involves violence toward oneself, including suicide. Self-harm is when a person causes physical harm to oneself on purpose (for example, cutting or burning). People who hurt themselves often have emotional and other difficulties. People engage in self-harm to relieve negative emotions (fear, anger, anxiety, sadness, etc.), to punish themselves because they think they have done something wrong, or to feel alive when they feel “numb” or “empty”.
Any self-harm actions should not be ignored. It is particularly important to pay attention when:
- Repeated and frequent self-harm behaviors are observed (e.g., once a week);
- Injuries due to cuts, blows or burns on sensitive parts of the body are observed;
- Tools to inflict serious injury (e.g., laser, knife, guns) are within easy reach;
- There is a possibility of causing an injury that is lethal;
- The intension of self-inflicted injury is to kill oneself (suicide attempt).
What can we do to help someone who is self-harming?
- Ask directly, openly, calmly, and caringly about self-harm behaviors, in private and when you have time to listen;
- Empathize with how the student is feeling;
- Acknowledge the student’s emotional experiences and their struggle to find other alternatives for dealing with their emotional pains;
- Discuss with the student actions they can take when they feel the need to harm themselves. For example, listening to music, engaging in physical activity, taking a cold shower, washing face with cold water, holding ice cubes, etc.;
- Talk to other people who the student can trust and count on for support. Help create a support network;
- Encourage the student to talk to their family, so that the family can provide help and support.
What are unhelpful reactions?
- Being critical of the student’s self-harm behavior and reinforcing the stigma associated with it.
- Saying things like “this is wrong”, or using threats like “if you don’t stop, we will have to…”
- Using directives such as “you should…”, or “you have to…”
- Offering solutions before understanding the problem the student is experiencing, or what is causing them to self-harm.
Watch the video about self harm
These videos are in Portuguese. However, you can go to the Setting, click on Auto-translate, select English, and click on CC to turn on the subtitles.