Self-harm (or self-injury) has been defined as the "intentional direct injury of one's own tissues without a suicidal intention", and is more common than we realise, primarily among young people who self-harm as a means of emotional release.

A 2019 survey by YouGov (a British market research company) found that a quarter of Malaysians surveyed experienced suicidal thoughts, and 26% disclosed self-harm behaviours. The data showed one in 10 young Malaysians (aged 18-24) engaged in self-harm "frequently".

In this episode of Being Human, Dr. Chua Sook Ning is joined by Dr. Nancy Heath - a James McGill Professor in the Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology at McGill University - who is a renowned researcher in emotion regulatory difficulties, stress, coping, mindfulness, and non-suicidal self-injury.

Their enlightening discussion explores what motivates people to use self-harm as a coping mechanism, and what we need to understand about the behaviour in order to better support people who self-harm.

If you (or anyone you know) engages in self-harming behaviours, Dr. Heath's website provides free coping strategy resources and insightful information on why people self-harm and how to reach out for support. You can visit the website at: http://sioutreach.org