Understanding self-harm in children and young people
Self-harm is when a child or young person hurts themselves or puts themselves in danger because they’re trying to deal with difficult or overwhelming feelings. Lots of children and young people experience self-harm, and it can affect anyone regardless of age, background, race, ethnicity, culture, socioeconomic background or personality type.
In this section, you can find more information on why children and young people self-harm, who is at risk, and what signs to look for. You can also read about self-harm from children and young people in their own words.
In this section
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What is self-harm and what are the signs?
Learn more about what self-harm looks like
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Why do some children and young people self-harm?
Understanding the reasons behind self-harm
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How common is self-harm in children and young people?
Prevalence of self-harm in children and young people
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Children and young people explain self-harm
Poems and stories by children and young people