Warning signs might 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 paraphernalia which could be used to self-injure or to clean wounds after self-injuring

• Frequent need for privacy and secretive behaviour.

• Unexplained withdrawal from activities or deterioration in academic performance and/or personal care.

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

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

• Frequent high risk behaviours involving physical risk to your child that exceeds normal adolescent behaviour, or a frequent disregard for personal safety.