Nonsuicidal self-injury, often simply called self-injury, is the act of harming your own body on purpose, such as by cutting or burning yourself. It's usually not meant as a suicide attempt. This type of self-injury is a harmful way to cope with emotional pain, sadness, anger and stress.

Understanding the Context

Cutting is the most common form of self-injury β€” more than 80% of people who self-harm choose this method β€” but it’s not the only one. Cutting is the most common method of self-injury and is often done repeatedly (not just once). Generally, cutting is done with sharp objects, such as razors knives, pins/ needles, sharp stones, and broken glass. However, when these types of items aren't available, individuals will use other objects/methods to break skin: Fast Company: Why focusing on cost-cutting during the AI revolution is a strategic mistake Why focusing on cost-cutting during the AI revolution is a strategic mistake CNBC: Scripps launches cost cutting, AI integration in latest effort to generate earnings growth Scripps launches cost cutting, AI integration in latest effort to generate earnings growth What drives forms of self-harm like cutting that some teens engage in?

Key Insights

Gaining an understanding of why some children harm themselves by cutting their skin, what signs to be aware of, and how to approach the subject can help parents respond if this occurs. Ross and McKay (1979) categorized self-mutilators into nine groups: cutting, biting, abrading, severing, inserting, burning, ingesting or inhaling, hitting, and constricting. Most of us know about cutting β€” using a sharp object like a razorblade, knife, or scissors to make marks, cuts, or scratches on one's own body. But cutting is just one form of self-injury.