Self-harm is often perceived as attention seeking and manipulative. This is not the case!  It is a sign of emotional distress and the stigmas quite often attached can be harmful and counter productive: they can prevent people from seeking the help that they need. Here is a list of myths and the FACTS to dispel them.

Myth: Self-harm means cutting...

FACT: Self-harm is a continuum of behaviour ranging from self-neglect to very severe behaviours such as eating disorders or drug abuse

Myth: People who self-harm are attempting suicide...

 FACT: Self-harm is a coping strategy; a way of dealing with emotional turmoil.  It is not an attempt to escape it through suicide.

Myth: People who self-harm are attention seeking and manipulative...

FACT: Self-harming is usually carried out in secret and wounding and scarring are kept hidden.  By the time it comes to the attention of others, it has often been happening for a long time.  The fact that most self-harmers only seek help once they can no longer keep their activities secret is evidence that this statement is simply untrue.  

Myth: Not many people self-harm...

FACT: As self-harm is often kept secret, figures do not always give the full picture.  At least one in ten adolescents self-harm.

Myth: Only young people self-harm...

FACT: Self-harm knows NO cultural, class, educational or social boundaries.  Anyone may self-harm.

Myth: Only women self-harm...

FACT: The reported incidence of male self-harm is rising.

Myth: It is best to ignore self-harm...

FACT: Self-harmers NEED help and attention.  Ignoring the behaviour could make matters worse by convincing the self-harmer they have no other options.

Myth: People who self-harm have been abused...

FACT: Not all self-harmers have been abused. Not all those that have been abused self-harm.