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SELF-HARM

Self-harm (or self-injury): Purposefully engaging in self-destructive behaviors toward one’s own body.

Self-harm is a silent language.

There are different reasons that individuals engage in self-harm. These are often kept private due to experienced embarrassment and shame. For some, engaging in self-harm is a way to express, distract, and/or gain control of painful thoughts, feelings, or experiences. For others, it can be a form of punishment or a way to signal to others that they are in distress. Self-harm is particularly prevalent among teenagers and young adults.

Hand laying on the ground with a bandage around the wrist with the word help on it, as an indication of self-harm

Methods of self-injury include:



  • Skin cutting
  • Extreme skin scratching
  • Biting
  • Skin burning
  • Breaking bones
  • Carving words/symbols on the skin


  • Self-hitting or punching/head banging
  • Piercing the skin with sharp objects
  • Picking at scabs/interference with wound healing
  • Pulling out hair
  • Inserting objects under the skin
  • Ingesting toxic chemicals

Individual sitting on floor against a wall, hands covering their face, as an indication of them wanting to harm themselves

Self-harm is often a symptom of other mental health issues.

Some of the struggles that are reported by those who self-harm include depression, anxiety, eating disorders, substance use issues, low self-esteem, and trauma.

Symptoms of self-harm can include:



  • Unexplained scars or marks on body
  • Fresh cuts, burns, scratches, or bruises
  • Having sharp objects on hand
  • Frequent bandages
  • Wearing long sleeves during warm weather
  • Reporting of accidental injuries


  • Spending long periods of time in private places (such as a bedroom or bathroom)
  • Difficulties in relationships
  • Social withdrawal/avoidance
  • Behavioral and emotional ups and downs
  • Feeling hopeless/helpless/worthless

Self-harm can co-occur with suicidal ideation. Although both of these issues involve psychological suffering they differ in regard to intent: persons who experience suicidal ideation desire a way to end their pain through suicide and persons who engage in self-injury are focused on coping with pain. Self-harm can be a way to avoid suicide. However, as self-harm incidents increase, so does the likelihood of suicide attempts.

Woman sitting with head down and hands on her head, thinking about harming herself

There are safer and healthier ways of coping with pain.


Counseling and therapy at Wellness Grove…

Our clinicians are competent in providing treatment options to clients who self-injure. We understand that self-injury can be difficult to talk about. Creating a safe and non-judgement space for increased understanding and change is what we do.

Our in-person (outpatient) counseling services are offered in Canton OH (near Akron, North Canton, and Massillon). We also offer telemental health sessions to all Ohio residents.

Wellness Grove

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