This survey is designed for individuals who have intentionally hurt themselves without wanting to die. Self-injury, also known as self-harm or non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) happens when someone deliberately hurts their body as a way to cope with emotional pain or distress. Common forms include cutting, burning, scratching, hitting, or using other methods to cause harm.

The survey takes around 5–10 minutes to complete and aims to help you understand your patterns, triggers, and reasons for self-injury. All responses are completely anonymous and confidential.

Important note: If you are currently thinking about suicide or have thoughts of ending your life, this survey is not suitable for you. Please seek immediate help by using the crisis resources at the bottom of this page or by calling 999.

Disclaimer:
Not a diagnosis – assessment tool only
Self-injury can be treated, and recovery is possible
Discuss your results with a healthcare provider, therapist, or trusted adult
If in crisis, seek immediate help
Anonymous and confidential

Understanding Self-Injury

What is Non-Suicidal Self-Injury?

Self-injury means deliberately hurting yourself without the intention to die. It’s a coping behavior some people use to manage intense emotions or distress. Common forms of self-injury include:

Why Do People Self-Injure?

People may hurt themselves to:

Self-injury is not attention-seeking; it’s a sign of deep emotional struggle and a clear signal that someone needs understanding and support.

The Survey

Answer honestly about your experiences with self-injury, thinking about your behavior over the past year. There are no right or wrong answers; this is simply a way to better understand your experiences.

You can stop at any time if you feel uncomfortable. Some questions may be difficult, so take breaks whenever you need. Take your time and answer as accurately as possible.

If this survey becomes triggering:

Self-Injury History

Basic Information

1. Have you ever hurt yourself on purpose without wanting to die?

2. How old were you when you first hurt yourself on purpose?

3. When was the last time you hurt yourself on purpose?

4. How many times have you hurt yourself in the past year?

5. Which methods have you used? (Select all that apply)

This section helps identify patterns and frequency of self-injury to better understand your history and current needs. Answering honestly provides a clearer picture of your experiences and can guide you toward the right kind of support and care.

Section 2: Reasons and Functions

6. When you hurt yourself, how often is it for each of these reasons? (Rate each: Never / Sometimes / Often / Always)
To cope with feelings:

To stop bad feelings

To feel something instead of feeling numb

To punish myself

To express emotional pain

To calm down when angry or upset

To deal with stress or pressure

Communication and control:

To let others know how I’m feeling

To feel in control of something

To avoid doing something I don’t want to do

To get attention or care from others

Physical and mental states:

To stop dissociating or feeling unreal

To see if I can still feel pain

To mark something important or create a memory

To fit in with others who self-injure

Because I’m addicted to it

I don’t know why I do it

This section explores the reasons and emotions behind self-injury. Everyone’s experiences are different; some people self-harm to release emotional pain, others to regain control, or to feel something when numb. These motivations do not mean weakness or attention-seeking; they reflect a struggle to manage difficult emotions or situations. Understanding why you self-injure is a key step toward finding healthier coping strategies and receiving the right support and treatment.

Section 3: Context and Patterns

7. Where do you usually hurt yourself?

8. Do you usually hurt yourself impulsively or do you plan it?

9. What do you typically feel before hurting yourself? (Select all that apply)

10. What do you typically feel immediately after?

This section looks at the situations, emotions, and timing surrounding self-injury. Understanding where, when, and how these behaviors occur can reveal important patterns and triggers. Recognizing emotional states before and after self-harm, like relief, guilt, or sadness, can help identify moments when extra support or alternative coping strategies are needed.

Section 4: Impact and Care

11. Have you needed medical treatment for self-injury?

12. Do you hide your self-injury from others?

13. Has self-injury affected your: (Rate each: Not at all / A little / Quite a bit / Very much)

Relationships with family

Relationships with friends

School or work performance

Physical health

Ability to enjoy activities

14. Have you ever talked to anyone about your self-injury?

This section explores the impact of self-injury on your relationships, health, and daily life. It also looks at who you’ve shared your experiences with. Being honest helps identify how self-harm affects different parts of your life and what kind of support network or professional care might be most helpful for your recovery journey.

Section 5: Change and Support

15. Do you want to stop hurting yourself?

16. Have you tried to stop self-injuring?

17. What would help you stop or reduce self-injury? (Select all that apply)

This section focuses on your readiness for change and the types of support that might make stopping easier. Recognizing what could help, like therapy, coping skills, or supportive people, is a powerful first step toward healing and recovery.

Understanding Your Results

After completing this survey, you’ll have a clearer picture of your self-injury patterns and the reasons behind them. There is no “score” that determines how severe your self-injury is, but your responses can help you and a mental health professional better understand your experiences and what kind of support might help.

Frequency and Recency:

If your self-injury is recent or frequent, it’s important to seek support soon. Even if you’ve stopped, exploring your past behaviour can help you understand your triggers and prevent relapse.

Functions and Reasons:

Recognizing why you self-injure is essential for finding healthier coping strategies. Most people self-harm to manage intense emotions, release distress, or regain control. Different motivations may call for different treatment approaches.

Impact on Life:

Consider how self-injury affects your relationships, health, and daily functioning. Reflect on whether you’re hiding it, if it’s causing medical risks, or if you have support from others.

Readiness for Change:

Think about where you are in your recovery journey. Are you ready to stop, or unsure how? Identifying barriers and needs helps professionals tailor support to you.

What to do with this information: Share your responses with a therapist, counsellor, GP, or mental health professional to develop safer, healthier coping tools.

Getting Help & Recovery

Self-injury can be overcome with the right support and treatment. Healing takes time, but recovery is possible. Understanding your triggers and learning new coping strategies are key steps toward change.

Treatment Options

Therapy:

Support Approaches:

Healthier Alternatives to Self-Injury

When you feel the urge to self-injure, try:

Finding Help in the UK

Self-Harm Support Organisations:

Crisis Support

If you’re in immediate danger or having suicidal thoughts:

Emergency: 999 or A&E

Crisis helplines:

Suicide prevention: If thinking about suicide rather than self-injury, call the above helplines immediately or go to A&E.

For a friend worried about someone: Encourage them to seek help, tell a trusted adult, or call a helpline for advice on how to support them.

For Family & Friends

If Someone You Care About Self‑Injures

How to respond:

What not to say:

Supporting recovery:

Scientific Information & Disclaimer

About Self‑Injury:

Self‑injury affects roughly 1 in 5 people at some point in their lives, most commonly during adolescence and young adulthood. It’s often linked to difficulties with emotional regulation and may occur alongside other mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, eating disorders, or borderline personality disorder (BPD).

Important Disclaimer:

This survey is an assessment tool, not a diagnostic instrument. It does not replace professional evaluation by a qualified mental health provider. If you’re having thoughts of suicide or are in immediate danger, please call 999 or go to A&E.Self‑injury is treatable, and recovery is possible with the right support. This tool is for informational purposes only and is GDPR‑compliant, meaning no personal health data is stored.