Understanding Self-Injury

The topic of self-injury is one that not many people want to discuss.  Although it is not well understood (even some of the research is unclear), the prevalence of these behaviors is shocking (this article suggests that 12 to 24% of young people have tried it).  This article from Cornell University explains what self-injury is, who is at-risk for these behaviors, the dangers associated with self-injury, and how to detect whether someone is engaging in self-injury.  It is important to understand self-injury and what drives it so that we can help young people learn more effective coping skills.

http://www.selfinjury.bctr.cornell.edu/perch/resources/what-is-self-injury-9.pdf

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