Self Harm: Rationale and Interventions

For some people self-harm is considered a way of coping with
difficulties or stress. Describe the reported rationale for this
behaviour. What health care interventions are implemented for
people who self-harm?

INTRODUCTION
 Self harm is also known as deliberate self injury or para-
suicide.
 Most common methods are cutting and self poisoning
among the young people.
 Other methods like burning, scratching, hanging and
interfering with wound healing are also used.
 Usually, self harms should be taken seriously even though
they are not intended to be fatal.
 Self harm is a criminal offence according to Crimes Act
1958.

STATISTICS (AUSTRALIAN BUREAU OF STATISTICS)
 Self harm has been the 7th leading contributor to disease among
people in Australia.
 Less than 13% of the people who harm themselves are admitted in
hospitals.
 8% of young people between the ages of 15-24 years are involved in
self harm in any 12 moth period.
 Suicides are done mostly by males while self harm by females.
 Lifetime prevalence rates:
Age group Females (In
percentage)
Males (In percentage)
15-19 17 12
20-24 24 18
Mean age of self
harm in Australia
17 years (More common in females)
Hospitalization for
self harm (2010-
26,000 cases