According to an article in Harvard Health Publishing, Maureen Salamon (executive editor) “Cutting and self-harm: Why it happens and what to do,” wrote that self-harm is defined as “. . . . the intentional destruction of body tissue in the absence of any intent to die.” 

Individuals who engage in self-harm are not trying to commit suicide, but are instead using physical pain or injury as a way to cope with intense emotional distress.

According to an article written by the American Psychological Association,  “. . . about 17% of teenagers engage in self-harm at least once.” They go on to say that skin cutting and similar forms of self-harm are highest amongst adolescents or teens. Self harm affects all teens and it does not matter about race or gender. 

Self harm is a significant issue among teenagers affecting approximately 17 % of them and is most common during adolescence. 

Some factors that cause teens to engage in self-harm are depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues. Also, teens who cut themselves may be more apt to use drugs or alcohol. Additionally, other reasons teens can self harm include family problems, school or job challenges, and struggling relationships with friends. Tolerating emotional distress incorrectly causes teens to escape from those emotions through physical pain which can reduce their psychological pain. 

So why do teens continue to cut themselves even after they do it once? The article suggests that it is the sense of relief or release after cutting reinforces the behavior, leading teens to cut themselves again and again. 

If you know someone who is self-injurious then encourage them to confide in close friends, family, medical experts and not to honor that secrecy of emotional turmoil but to seek support. Worst case if you see something and say something to a trusted adult on your friends behalf so they can try to intervene to keep the person safe.