Students may self-injure in many different ways, and some can be very difficult for parents, friends, or educators to detect. Don’t blame yourself for not noticing the nearly impossible—but do pay attention if something raises a concern. For example, if a student has unusually even cuts on their arms, don’t accept “My cat scratched me” without further thought. You may be the first trusted adult to gently continue the conversation and help connect the student to support. Approaching with mindful, nonjudgmental curiosity and asking open-ended questions can create the space for a student to open up and share.
Common forms of self-injury:
- Cutting in lines on the arms or legs (with razor blades or knives)
- Repeatedly picking at scabs or other injuries
- Erasing burns onto any part of the body
- Using matches or cigarettes to burn the body
- Hair-pulling
- Head banging
- Punching walls or other hard surfaces repeatedly- may also take the form of hitting oneself (look for bruised and/or bloody knuckles)
Guidelines for Talking with a Student about Nonsuicidal Self-Injury
- Trust your instincts. If something seems unusual or out of place, don’t hesitate to ask caring, curious questions.
- Let the student share their perspective. Allow them to describe whether the injury is connected to social pressures, anxiety, stress, or other personal experiences, rather than assuming the cause.