When treating children and adolescents, it’s not uncommon to see patients who have engaged in self-harm. Self-injury often takes the form of cutting, but also includes scratching, burning, self-hitting, putting items under the skin or interrupting the healing of wounds. This kind of non-suicidal self-injury is most common among adolescents and young adults.
March is Self Harm Awareness Month. Please reach out if you or a loved one is thinking of or has engaged in this behavior. There are healthy alternatives to self-harm when life gets really tough.