Self-harm is a deeply troubling issue that affects many teenagers today, and its impact can be heartbreaking for families. As the pressure to navigate academics, relationships, and identity grows, teens can sometimes turn to self-injury as a way to manage emotional pain, cope with stress, or express feelings they feel they cannot communicate openly.
As someone who cares about a teenager—a parent, guardian, teacher, or friend—awareness of self-harm is essential, as is understanding how to provide support. In this blog post, we’ll unpack the signs, causes, and ways to support teens who might be engaging in self-harm and discuss how professional programs like Crown Adolescent Mental Health can help guide youth toward healing.
What Is Teen Self-Harm?
Self-harm, often referred to as non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), is the deliberate act of hurting oneself without the intention of causing death. Common forms of self-harm include cutting, burning, scratching, or hitting oneself, though the methods can vary from person to person.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), about 17% of adolescents report having engaged in self-harm at least once, a startling statistic that underscores how widespread the issue has become. Source.
While self-harm is not necessarily a sign that a teen intends to take their life, it can signal significant emotional distress that requires attention. Left unaddressed, self-harming behaviors can escalate and have serious physical and psychological consequences.
Signs a Teen May Be Self-Harming
The signs of self-harm aren’t always obvious, especially since many teens who engage in these behaviors go to great lengths to hide them out of shame or fear of judgment. However, paying attention to certain physical, behavioral, and emotional changes can help you detect whether a teen might be self-harming:
Physical Signs:
- Unexplained cuts, burns, scratches, or bruises, typically on areas of the body that are easy to hide such as the arms, thighs, or stomach.
- Wearing long sleeves or pants, even in hot weather, to conceal injuries.
- Frequent claims of clumsiness or accidents leading to injuries.
Behavioral Signs:
- Avoidance of social activities such as swimming or changing clothes in front of others.
- Secretive behavior, reluctance to share details about their day, or frequent isolation.
- Keeping sharp objects, such as razors or knives, in odd places.
Emotional Signs:
- Sudden withdrawal from family or close friends.
- Persistent feelings of sadness, anger, or numbness.
- Expressions of self-loathing, worthlessness, or hopelessness.
While these signs may point to self-harm, they can also signal other emotional or mental health challenges. It’s crucial to communicate with the teen in a nonjudgmental and supportive way to better understand what’s happening in their life.
Why Do Teens Self-Harm?
Understanding the causes of self-harming behaviors requires empathy and insight into a teen’s world. No teenager wakes up and decides to hurt themselves without reason—there are often deep underlying emotions and circumstances involved. Here are some common causes:
1. Emotional Pain
Teens who feel overwhelmed by depression, anxiety, or overwhelming sadness might use self-harm as a way to feel temporary relief. The physical pain momentarily distracts them from the emotional hurt.
2. Trauma or Abuse
Past trauma, such as abuse, neglect, bullying, or the loss of a loved one, can make a teen feel disconnected from their emotions or body. Self-harming can be a way to cope with repressed feelings.
3. Peer Pressure or Social Challenges
The desire to fit in and handle social challenges—like bullying or rejection—can lead some teens to harmful coping mechanisms.
4. Control and Release
Some teens self-harm to regain a sense of control or release pent-up emotions they feel they cannot express. In cases where they feel powerless, this act might seem like the one way they can take charge of their circumstances.
5. Self-Punishment
Feelings of self-loathing or guilt can drive teens to self-harm as a form of punishment, believing they deserve the pain.
How to Support a Teen Who Self-Harms
Finding out that a teen is harming themselves can feel devastating. You might grapple with a mix of emotions—fear, guilt, confusion, even anger. But it’s important to remember that your reaction and how you handle the situation can make a tremendous difference in their recovery. Here are steps you can take:
1. Start with Empathy
Approach the teen with kindness and understanding. They might already feel ashamed or judged, so creating a safe space for an open dialogue is essential. Avoid accusing or interrogating them and instead ask gentle questions like, “Can you help me understand what’s going on?”
2. Educate Yourself
Take time to learn about self-harm and mental health. Understanding that self-injury is often a symptom of deeper issues can help you approach the situation more effectively.
3. Encourage Professional Help
Self-harm is a sign of emotional distress that often requires therapy. A licensed counselor or therapist can help the teen address the underlying causes of their behavior, learn healthy coping mechanisms, and rebuild self-worth.
4. Remove Tools of Self-Harm
If possible, eliminate access to objects like knives, razors, or anything the teen could use to harm themselves. However, this shouldn’t be done without first discussing their needs and creating a plan together.
5. Build Their Resilience
Help the teen engage in activities that foster emotional and physical wellness, such as art, mindfulness exercises, journaling, or physical exercise. Replacing harmful behaviors with positive outlets can be transformative.
Why Professional Treatment is Critical
Although you may feel a strong urge to solve the problem on your own, self-harm is often a sign of deeper mental health issues that require professional intervention. Programs such as those offered by Crown Adolescent Mental Health can provide teens with the resources, guidance, and support they need—not just to eliminate self-harm but to address the root causes of their emotional pain.
When your teen attends Crown Adolescent Mental Health, they’ll engage in evidence-based treatment programs tailored to their unique needs. From one-on-one therapy to group support, Crown’s dedicated staff is there to empower your teen to heal in an environment designed specifically for adolescents.
Don’t Do This Alone: Crown Adolescent Mental Health Can Help
At Crown Adolescent Mental Health, we understand how scary and overwhelming it can be to confront a teen’s self-harming behavior. That’s why we’re here to partner with you every step of the way. Our expert team specializes in adolescent mental health treatment and will help your teen move beyond their struggles to live a healthy, fulfilling life.
If you’re located in Massachusetts and need compassionate, professional care for your teen, reach out to Crown Adolescent Mental Health today. Together, we can create a path toward healing.
Visit Crown Adolescent Mental Health to learn more about our teen treatment programs—because no teen should have to navigate this journey alone.
