Ms Lucy Simiyu, Crawford International School Psychologist
By Lucy Simiyu
According to Erskine, H.E. et al. (2024), the leading global cause of health burden among adolescents in low-income and middle-income countries is mental disorders.
Despite this, there remains a critical gap of knowledge on the prevalence of mental disorders among Kenyan adolescents (Kenya-National Adolescent Mental Health Survey, 2022).
This means that adolescents with mental health disorders are largely untreated, or under-treated, thus resulting in adverse outcomes throughout their life course.
While self-harm is not classified as a mental disorder, it is a behaviour that is more common among adolescents living with depression and anxiety.
The World Health Organization defines self-harm as when somebody injures or harms themselves as a way of coping with emotional distress (https://shorturl.at/vYqHt). Generally, people who harm themselves do not intend to take their lives, but there is the risk of fatal results. Some forms of self-harm include cutting, burning, non-suicidal self-injury or other high-risk behaviours (https://www.unicef.org/parenting/mental-health/what-is-self-harm#self-harm-children-teens).
Why do adolescents self-harm?
There is no single cause for self-harm but there are several factors that contribute to why adolescents might engage in this behaviour:
When there is a sudden life change in the life of an adolescent, such as a death, divorce, or move to a new school or country, they may experience extreme feelings of sadness, anxiety, anger or frustration, and may use self-harm as a coping mechanism.
Bullying, exclusion, and feelings of isolation, especially by peers, often lead to emotional pain that might manifest as self-harm.
Mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, borderline personality disorders, or eating disorders may increase the risk of self-harm among adolescents.
Frequent conflicts and abuse at home may cause some adolescents to use self-harm as a way of dealing with the emotions associated with the home situation.
Some adolescents may use self-harm to gain a sense of control in environments, or situations where they feel they have no control, or to control their emotions.
What are the signs of self-harm?
Self-harm is not easily detectable as those who engage in it go to great lengths to hide the evidence. However, there are some warning signs that both parents and educators can look out for:
Unexplained cuts, bruises, burns, or scars, especially in areas that are easy to conceal (arms, legs, stomach).
Withdrawal from famil or friends, increased secrecy, or avoidance of certain activities (e.g. swimming), or wearing “inappropriate” clothing (such as long sleeves or pants in warm or hot weather).
Frequent mood swings, or signs of depression, or anxiety.
Excessive scratching, or picking at skin which may be an indication of a pattern of self-harm that is not immediately obvious.
How can we support adolescents?
Both parents and educators have a responsibility to support adolescents who are self-harming. This support should be driven by a sense of caring, understanding and compassion. If you suspect that an adolescent is self-harming, some of the ways to provide support include:
Start a conversation with the young person while ensuring that they feel safe and heard. Listening actively without being judgmental creates a trusting environment where the young person can confide in the adult.
Since self-harm is a symptom of deeper emotional or psychological struggles, encourage the adolescent to seek professional help from the school counselor, psychologist, or therapist.
One needs to understand that the journey to recovery can be quite long, and the young person will need consistent emotional support.
Encourage the young person to cultivate healthy coping mechanisms such as involvement in physical and creative activities such as sports, writing, music, art. These activities can replace an adolescent’s harmful behaviour while helping them manage their emotions.
Both parents and educators are advised to reach out to mental health professionals and/or support groups to access resources that can provide guidance and additional support for both the adolescent and their family.
Preventing self-harm
Both parents and educators have a role in preventing self-harm. At home, parents can encourage open communication and emotional literacy from an early age. Indeed, it is a parent’s responsibility to teach their child how to manage emotions, practice self-care, and build healthy coping strategies. On the other hand, the school has the responsibility to create a safe environment by minimizing the stigma around mental health and encouraging young people to seek help when overwhelmed by life happenings.
Parents and educators must keep in mind that adolescents who self-harm need empathy, not judgment. By recognizing the signs, starting conversations, and offering resources, both parents and educators can help those in need find healthier ways to cope and begin their journey toward healing. Together, we can create an environment where every young person feels supported, understood and valued.
If you, or someone you know is struggling with self-harm, it is essential to reach out for help. You are not alone, and support is available.
Ms Lucy Simiyu, Crawford International School Psychologist
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