It can be hard to control the urge to intentionally harm yourself, especially if hurting yourself helps release intense negative emotions. However, it’s important to get help when you’re ready because self-harm carries risks. There are 5 hotlines in Philippines that can help. Reach out if you experience the following:

Feeling like your head is spinning with thoughts and there's no other option to make it stop
Looking for a way to escape the emotional pain
Feeling like self-harm is the only thing keeping you going
Feeling temporary relief after hurting yourself, but the emotional pain coming back stronger
Scratching, pinching, hitting yourself
Feeling like you're addicted to pain or hurting yourself
A desire to punish or hurt yourself
Feeling like you deserve the pain

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 Philippines want to listen to you and support you. They can help you find ways to feel better without hurting yourself.

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