--- title: 'Understanding Self-Harm' url: 'https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/self-harm/understanding-self-harm' markdown: 'https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/self-harm/understanding-self-harm.md' date: '2026-03-08' description: 'Self-harm is when you hurt yourself as a way of dealing with very difficult feelings, painful memories or overwhelming situations and experiences. It can be the acute reaction people turn to when they feel they have no other option. Self-harm affects more people than you might think. It is estimated that between 10%-20% of all people self-harm at some point during their lifetime. It is hard to gather exact figures due to the stigma surrounding self-harm, and because people try to hide their wounds, scars and bruises. The average age of the first incident of self-harm is around 12/13, though the rate of self-harm among younger children (aged 9-12) in the UK has increased in the last ten years.' taxonomy: category: - 'Mental Health' tag: - 'Self Harm' type: - Video contributor: - 'Professor Dennis Ougrin' partner: - KCL-IOPPN --- # Understanding Self-Harm [ Self Harm ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Self%20Harm) [ ![Nip in the Bud](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/themes/nitb/images/logos/round-logo.png) ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/about-us "About Nip in the Bud") Duration: 0h 8m 11s Published: March 2024 #### Warning: Please note – some images and content may be upsetting or disturbing. This film is not intended to be watched by children Self-harm is when you hurt yourself as a way of dealing with very difficult feelings, painful memories or overwhelming situations and experiences. It can be the acute reaction people turn to when they feel they have no other option. Self-harm affects more people than you might think. It is estimated that between 10%-20% of all people self-harm at some point during their lifetime. It is hard to gather exact figures due to the stigma surrounding self-harm, and because people try to hide their wounds, scars and bruises. The average age of the first incident of self-harm is around 12/13, though the rate of self-harm among younger children (aged 9-12) in the UK has increased in the last ten years. --- Was this helpful? 0 0 Share: [ Previous Post](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/self-harm/emilys-journey-from-self-harm-to-recovery) [Next Post ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/toolkit/school-life/tips-for-teachers/supporting-a-pupil-who-is-self-harming) #### Other Related Posts: ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/03.toolkit/04.school-life/tips-for-teachers/supporting-a-pupil-who-is-self-harming/loneliness-and-secrecy-fuel-self-harm.webp) ### Video: Supporting a pupil who is self-harming [Video: Supporting a pupil who is self-harming](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/toolkit/school-life/tips-for-teachers/supporting-a-pupil-who-is-self-harming) Dr Sian Williams, a practitioner specialising in trauma, provides practical guidance for recognising and responding to signs of distress in young peop… [ Self Harm ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Self%20Harm) ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/05.mental-health/05.self-harm/emilys-journey-from-self-harm-to-recovery/emiy-self-harm.jpg) ### Video: Emily's Journey from Self-Harm to recovery [Video: Emily's Journey from Self-Harm to recovery](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/self-harm/emilys-journey-from-self-harm-to-recovery) Emily talks about her journey through self-harm to recovery and what she would say to her 13-year-old self. [ Lived Experience ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Lived%20Experience) [ Self Harm ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Self%20Harm) ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/05.mental-health/05.self-harm/self-harm-in-children/emiy-self-harm.jpg) ### Video: Self Harm in Children [Video: Self Harm in Children](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/self-harm/self-harm-in-children) This film sees Dr Sian Williams give parents and carers who discover that their child is self-harming advice and tips to help them feel empowered, and… [ Anxiety ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Anxiety) [ Depression ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Depression) [ Self Harm ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Self%20Harm) --- ## Navigation - Parent: [Self Harm](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/self-harm.md) - Previous: [Supporting a pupil who is self-harming](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/toolkit/school-life/tips-for-teachers/supporting-a-pupil-who-is-self-harming.md) - Next: [Emily's Journey from Self-Harm to recovery](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/self-harm/emilys-journey-from-self-harm-to-recovery.md)