Self Injury: one-to-one intervention

Nearly a quarter of teenagers in the UK are self-injuring, according to The Good Childhood Report, with girls twice as likely to engage in self-inuring behaviour than boys.

The British Medical Journal Study reveals:

* 68% increase in self-injury amongst teens since 2014.

* Self-injury is the strongest risk factor for subsequent suicide.

*Young people who self-injured were nine times more likely to die from suicide or accidental alcohol/drug poisoning

* Results indicate an: “urgent need to develop & implement effective interventions for young people in their early-mid teens”

What is self-injury?

Self-injury is defined as 

“any intentional act causing physical injuries to oneself without a clear intention to die”. 

It includes superficial cutting, scratching or hitting oneself, as well as intentional drug overdose.

Many young people who self-injure use more than one method of self-injury, & some do it on a regular basis, with others doing it more sporadically.

Self-injury is a coping mechanism to deal with any stressor in life. However, it might also reflect a more impairing psychological condition including anxiety, depression or PTSD.

Causes of self-harm

Young people self-injure for different reasons:

* affect regulation (e.g., an attempt to alleviate emotional pain that cannot be expressed verbally) 

* self-punishment (e.g., an attempt to relieve feelings of shame or guilt) 

* anti-dissociation (e.g. an attempt to stop feeling numb)

just to name a few.

Self-injuring behaviour is positively reinforced through feelings of relief, satisfaction & reduction of anxiety levels, which might therefore predispose to vicious cycles & increasingly more risky behaviours. It could impede young people’s ability to develop more effective & adaptive coping skills. These skills are important to regulate emotions & tolerate distress.