Who Seeks Help Online for Self-Injury?

Abstract

The objective of this study was to identify differences between young people who seek help online for self-injury and those who self-injure but do not seek help online, in order to improve online services for young people at high risk of suicide. Young people reporting a history of self-injury (N = 679) were identified as part of larger study (N = 1,463) exploring help-seeking. One third of young people with a history of self-injury reported online help-seeking for self-injury. Online help-seekers were significantly more distressed, suicidal, and had a greater degree of self-injury compared to those who did not seek help online. The Internet provides an important form of support to the most at risk young people in this population, and may be a proximal step to face-to-face help-seeking. Further research is required to investigate the forms of support currently accessed by young people online, and their effectiveness.

Keywords:

• deliberate self-harm
• eHealth
• internet
• self-injurious behavior
• self-injury

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Mareka Frost

Mareka Frost, Griffith University, School of Applied Psychology, Mt Gravatt, Brisbane, Australia.

Leanne Casey

Leanne Casey, Griffith Health Institute, Brisbane, Australia.