From Hollyoaks to Hollywood, many parts of the media have given us a view of self-harm. But do you know the facts? And what should you do if you feel the urge to self-harm?

What is self-harm?

Self-harm is often a way of expressing emotions that otherwise cannot be communicated or released. It can take the form of scratching, burning or cutting the skin, hitting, taking drug overdoses, or developing an eating disorder. Many people mistakenly believe that all self-harm is a ‘cry for attention’, but this is rarely the case. Often it is a very private form of survival; making the sufferer feel that they are able to cope.

It is important to remember that reasons for self-harm vary, because it involves triggers and pressures that are very personal. Many complex emotions are involved including; pain, sadness, rage, emptiness, grief, self-hatred, fear, loneliness and guilt. Self-harm often helps by releasing {mosgoogle right}these emotions in a form that can be seen and dealt with, distracting the sufferer from their emotions, communicating their feelings to the world or providing comfort.

According to a report by the Samaritans and The Centre for Suicide Research, rates of self-harm has increased over the past decade with 1 in every 10 teenagers deliberately inflicting harm on themselves. "Young people who harm themselves are frequently struggling to cope with complex and multiple problems,” says Caryl Stock who runs The Amber Project in Cardiff, a dedicated counselling and drop-in service for 16 to 25 year olds who have experience of self-harm. “Sadly many still feel isolated and are reluctant to seek support.”

What can I do to stop?

If you have the urge to self-harm, it is important to recognise that there is a problem and try to find your personal triggers. Self-harming can be caused by any type of stress; from long-term issues such as child-abuse, to everyday pressures. But finding the root cause should always be the first step to a ‘cure’. Talk to someone; friends, family, Childline, Samaritans, your GP, support groups, website forums or anyone you feel you can trust. Be honest about why and when you feel the urge; exploring your behaviour may lead you to find the root of the problem.

If you are worried about telling your friends and family, self-harm professionals and websites can offer ways to explain. LifeSIGNS has an excellent page that can help: http://www.selfharm.org/out/index.html

Try to also find other ways of expressing your feelings. Keeping a diary, drawing, painting, making music or writing stories are all ways to communicate your emotions without harming yourself. You don’t have to create anything related to self-harm, as long as you enjoy it, without letting negative thoughts get to you. Express yourself and you might be inspired!