Understanding Non-Suicidal Self-Injury

This video explores the complex issue of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), highlighting the voices of those who engage in the behavior and those around them. It discusses the reasons behind NSSI, its potential dangers, and the importance of seeking help through resources like the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

It's hard to describe why I would hurt myself. I didn't know how to explain what I was feeling. Cutting my arm was the only way I could release the tension. Once I would do it, I stopped worrying about how I was feeling. It worked, and I really didn't want to stop doing it. My daughter hurt herself for several years. I was so scared. It also made me angry, so I had to really work to understand what was happening. As a high school teacher, I would see students who covered cuts on their arms. I knew one young man who would just hit his head on the wall. He always had bruises. I couldn't tell if he was angry, sad, or just trying to get attention. These are the voices of people who intentionally injure themselves, and the voices of people in their lives. When people injure themselves intentionally but don't want to end their lives, it's called non-suicidal self-injury, or NSSI. It's usually a sign of intense psychological or emotional distress and can be a highly dangerous behavior. NSSI is frequently used by adolescents or young adults, though people of any age might do it. Common forms of NSSI include intentionally cutting, scraping, scratching, hitting, or burning yourself. These actions can range from being a light scratch to being severe, including things like deep cuts that require emergency medical attention. Even though NSSI is not connected with a wish to die, the behaviors themselves can be deadly. People talk about engaging in non-suicidal self-injury for many reasons, including a need to release emotional pain, to feel something rather than nothing, or to express how they're feeling. While there are many different reasons for engaging in NSSI, most people talk about how effective it is. People might repeat NSSI, and sometimes the behaviors last for months or years. Others might only use NSSI a single time or for a single episode. In a situation called self-injury or self-harm, NSSI can result in a life-threatening crisis, and it's not always possible to understand or ask about a person's suicidal intentions. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7 to discuss NSSI and can help people find immediate attention. If there is any type of medical or psychological crisis, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.