Self-harm - risks, reasons and behaviours
Content warning
This page contains information about self-harm. Some readers may find this content distressing. If you are feeling overwhelmed or unsafe, please consider stepping away and seeking support.
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- Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
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Self-harm is when a person hurts themselves on purpose. It is an intentional act that causes physical pain or injury. Often it is done to manage emotional distress.
Self-harm can include cutting, burning, hitting or other behaviours that aren’t intended to end life.
A way to cope with emotional and stress
Self-harm isn’t attention-seeking or a sign of weakness. It’s often a way to cope with emotional pain, overwhelming stress, or feeling out of control. For some, it brings a sense of relief, grounding or even expression when words fall short.
People may self-harm as a way to:
- manage intense emotions like anxiety, guilt, or despair
- create a physical release from psychological pain
- regain a sense of control
- express feelings they can’t put into words.
Risks and reasons we self-harm
Research and lived experience tell us that more of nurses and midwives may be self-harming than we think. Contributing factors include:
- chronic stress and burnout
- moral distress and trauma exposure
- shame, helplessness or isolation
- expectations to be a perfect caregiver
- pressures to always be ok
Mental health challenges, unsupportive workplaces, relationship strain, trauma and the constant expectation to give your energy to others can exacerbate self-harm thoughts and feelings. These pressures were highlighted during the pandemic, and they haven’t disappeared just because we’ve learned to live with COVID-19.
Many of us hide our pain because we fear judgement, stigma, or what it could mean for our careers. But staying silent only adds to the weight of our emotions.
Self-harm and suicide
While self-harm can be a risk factor for suicide, the two are not the same. Some people who self-harm do not want to die, they are trying to survive, and this is a mechanism they use to manage distress.
However, if you’re experiencing either self-harm and suicidal thoughts, it’s important that you reach out for support.
Talking can help
Talking about these thoughts and starting to process how you are feeling, can be overwhelming, exhausting and confusing.
Addressing self-harm may take time. Our experienced nurses and midwives can listen and help you navigate this process.
It ain't weak to speak
You are not weak for feeling overwhelmed. You are not unprofessional for needing help. As nurses and midwives, you carry so much, but you don’t have to carry it alone.
Reaching out is not a risk to your career. It’s a step toward healing, call 1800 001 060.
References
- Thoughts of suicide or self-harm among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: qualitative analysis of open-ended survey responses, M. Bismark, 2022, BJPsych Open
- Media release: Monash University report identifies occupations with greater risk of suicide, by Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University
- Self-Harm by Nurses and Midwives – A Study of Hospital Presentations, by S. Groves, 2024, Crisis.
- Self-harm, Lifeline Support Toolkit
See also
-
Alcohol takes away the pain until it doesn’t
Stress, isolation and workplace bullying took RN Terry to a place of alcohol misuse and despair. He tells us how a specialist health service helped him to sobriety and new hope. -
Normalising counselling for nurses and midwives
Bridget talks about the need for counselling services so graduates will realise that they can debrief, and prevent burn-out from the beginning of their career.
- Topics
- Violence