Self-Harm and Suicide
The relationship between self-harm and suicide is complex and it’s important to understand that the vast majority of people who self-harm do not have suicidal feelings. However, suicide risk is 30 times higher in young people who self-harm as the self-harm escalates or accidental death (Hawton et. al, 2020).
Self-harming behaviours are most often a coping mechanism to help a person deal with life’s stressors. In fact, self-harming is often a person’s way of staying alive and coping with very challenging experiences and feelings. The difference between self-harm and suicide centres can be seen in the intent of the behaviour. For most young people, the intention of self-harming behaviour is to manage challenging feelings or to feel alive. Whereas a child’s behaviour is suicidal when the desire or intent is to end their life.
Despite this difference between self-harm and suicide, self-harming behaviour is a clear communication of distress and is a significant risk factor for suicide. This may be due to escalating distress leading to increased and more serious self-harm or accidental death. As such, all self-harming behaviour should be taken seriously. It is important to ask someone you are worried about whether they have any thoughts of taking their own life. This will not put the idea into their head and may help them to open up about how they are feeling.
For more information and guidance related to suicide prevention and support please refer to the Healthier Minds website. Suicide first aid training (ASIST) is available to all East Renfrewshire employees. If you have immediate concerns about the safety of a young person please contact the emergency services on 999.
