Self-harm is when you purposely hurt yourself as a way to cope with difficult emotions. Self-harm may bring you relief from intense emotional pain, but the relief is often short-lived. If you struggle with the following, there are 4 helplines available in Malawi that can offer you support:

Scratching, pinching, hitting yourself
Feeling drawn to sharp objects, or items you could harm yourself with
Feeling reckless, not caring whether you get hurt
Feeling like normal ways of coping don't work for you – the pain is a last resort
Feeling the need to escape or numb your feelings
Feeling like you need a physical release for your emotions
Craving physical pain as a distraction from overwhelming emotions
Avoiding people you care about so they don't find out

If you use self-harm to cope with tough feelings, you may feel ashamed about your behavior. However, many people inflict harm on themselves as a way to relieve emotional pain. Self-harm is more common than you think, but a lot of people struggle to talk about it.

You may struggle to talk to people about your feelings, but having the right person to talk to can make all the difference. Dedicated volunteers in Malawi will listen to you without any judgement. Whether you just want to be heard, or you want to explore other coping tools, you can find the support you need.

If you think you might need support with self harm today, consider contacting a helpline in Malawi for free, confidential help.