Warning signs which may indicate that a friend has engaged in self-injury include:

 

• Frequent or unexplained scars and wounds, such as cuts, burns, scratches, and bruises appear anywhere on the body, such as the arms, torso, and legs. Unexplained bandaging on the body.

• Frequent wearing of long sleeved/pant clothing at inappropriate times, such as in warm weather, or a reluctance or refusal to participate in activities resulting in skin exposure, such as physical education classes or swimming.

• Collection of items which could be used to self-injure or to clean wounds after self-injuring (e.g., razor blades, knifes, nail files, broken glass, safety pins, matches, antiseptic, and bandages).

• Frequent need for privacy and secretive behaviour. Unexplained withdrawal from activities.

• Changes in mood, including frequent irritability, hostility, and anger, uncontrollable crying, or excessive sadness.

• Frequent mention of self-injury in creating writing, artwork, journals, internet postings, emails, texts, or in communication with others (including jokes, rumours, and threats).

• Frequent high risk behaviours, such as train surfing, choking game, dangerous driving and substance abuse, or a frequent disregard for personal safety.

 

If you recognise any of these warning signs in a friend it is very important that you talk to your friend about your concerns and seek help from a teacher, the school counsellor (if available), the school principal, or a parent on their behalf.

 

More information about how to respond to friends who self-injure can be found here.