Self-harm may offer you relief from painful emotions in the moment, but it can leave you feeling worse afterward. It cannot solve your problems or remove the source of your pain. If you struggle with the following, you can get help from one of 2 in Fiji:
Feeling like normal ways of coping don't work for you – the pain is a last resort
Craving physical pain as a distraction from overwhelming emotions
Feeling reckless, not caring whether you get hurt
Feeling like you need to hide injuries from those who care about you
Feeling like you deserve the pain
Taking part in high-risk activities, disregarding safety
Not wanting to die, but still feeling like you need the pain
Imagining hurting yourself
Since self-harm provides immediate, in-the-moment relief from painful emotions, it’s easy to become reliant on it as your go-to coping mechanism. Stopping may seem impossible and you may be ashamed to even talk about it. However, self-harm is more common than you think. Many people struggle to manage intense emotions.
Talking about how you feel can be difficult,, especially if you tend to bottle things up. But talking can offer you a healthy alternative for releasing negative emotions. Helpline counselors in Fiji want to listen to you and support you. They can help you find ways to feel better without hurting yourself.
If you feel like you might need support with self harm, try reaching out to a hotline in Fiji. It's free and confidential.