Publication
Talking about self-harm
How common is self-harm?
The true extent of the problem is unknown. Self-harm is much more common amongst women than men. This is thought to be because women experience and express their emotions in different ways to men. Some men may be more likely to be angry or violent towards other people or things. Women may harm themselves when they are feeling angry or upset. Approximately 1 woman in 1,000 aged between 15 and 35 years is known to self-harm.
"All of us live in isolation and secrecy like the alcoholic who self-abuses on drink or the person suffering an eating disorder hiding in silence."
"We don’t always cut, there are many forms of abuse that can be passed off as accidental. "
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