Understanding Self-Harm in College Students

Self-harm, also known as nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), is when someone purposely injures their body. Common forms of self-injury include cutting, burning, and scratching skin until it bleeds.

Typically, people self-harm as a coping mechanism to mitigate intense feelings, such as sadness, anger, or loss of control. In the fall 2020 Healthy Minds Study, 36 schools reported that 23% of college students inflicted harm upon themselves in the past year.

Self-harm is a dangerous condition that can impact students, children, and adults. In this guide, we look at the different signs and types of self-harm and go over strategies for stopping self-injury.

Studies by Cornell University have identified over 16 forms of self-harm. The following represent some of the most common methods of self-injury. Note that most people use more than one method to engage in self-harm.

According to Mental Health America (MHA), skin cutting is the most common form of self-harm, used by 70-90% of people who engage in NSSI. People may cut, severely scratch, or pierce their skin with a sharp object, often to the point of drawing blood.

Cutting may also involve carving symbols or words into the skin.

Punching involves striking an object with a closed fist. For example, students may punch walls, objects, or even themselves. Other common forms of self-injury include hitting and head banging, which are used in 21-44% of self-injury cases, according to MHA.

This type of self-injury may involve burning one’s skin with a lighter, cigarette, or heated knife. People may also brand their skin using hot objects. MHA reports that 15-35% of those who self-harm exhibit this behavior.

Common target areas for self-injury include the arms, hands, wrists, stomach, and thighs.

Students engaged in NSSI may at times use hair pulling to cause pain or distract from emotions. However, hair pulling is also a mental health condition in and of itself. Trichotillomania — or hair-pulling disorder — occurs with little awareness on the part of the person performing the act.

The act of pulling one’s hair may reduce stress and usually involves recurring episodes despite attempts to stop.

Alcohol or drug misuse is another form of self-harm students may use to cope with intense feelings. While drinking alcohol or using drugs may provide short-term relief, these actions can result in long-lasting, unseen physical effects.

Using alcohol and drugs to self-medicate can also incite poor judgment and aggression and may lead to acts of self-harm that end up more severe than intended.

Thirty-three percent of respondents to two Cornell studies felt they had injured themselves to the point that they should have sought medical attention — but only 6.5% ever received treatment.

People often turn to NSSI in an attempt to cope or feel better. That said, those who self-harm frequently or who use severe forms of self-injury are considered to be at greater risk of taking their own lives.

A May 2020 study published in “Frontiers in Psychology” found that those who have attempted suicide and those who self-harm share environmental risk factors, such as high levels of stress, unsupportive or uncaring families, a sense of isolation, and a history of trauma or abuse. These factors can increase a person’s chances of transitioning from self-injury to suicidal ideation and intent.

In “Healing Self-Injury: A Compassionate Guide for Parents and Other Loved Ones,” Janis Whitlock and Elizabeth Lloyd-Richardson write that about 65% of youths who self-injure will experience suicidal thoughts at some point. In contrast, only 36% of U.S. adults who self-harm reported feeling suicidal.

If you believe someone may be engaging in self-harm, try not to judge or criticize them when you bring up the topic. Calmly demonstrating your concern can open the doors of communication and lead to opportunities for recovery.

Tell them many options are available and they should not attempt to handle this alone. You might suggest healthy coping mechanisms such as talking with a friend or seeing a counselor.

If they express any suicidal intent, such as feeling like a burden to others or wanting to die, seek help immediately. You can go to your college’s counseling and psychological services as well.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this website is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Readers of this website should consult with their physician to obtain advice with respect to any medical condition or treatment.