How can I get help/support for self-injury?

Note: NAMI volunteers are not medical or mental health professionals, and we cannot offer medical or mental health advice.  The material outlined below is informational and we hope that it helps provide guidance toward getting support.  

Please note that some self-inflicted injuries can be serious. If you need urgent medical attention, dial 9-1-1 now or visit your local emergency department. If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide, dial 9-8-8 now to speak to a trained crisis counselor at the 24/7 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. 988 can also help if you currently have the urge to self-harm and you need support. Reach 988 by phone, text, or by chat at https://988lifeline.org/. 

You have taken a great first step today by seeking support for self-injury. You may wish to start by visiting NAMI’s self-harm webpage, which provides information about self-harm and treatment/support options available to those seeking help.

The following resources may also be helpful: 

• The Cornell Research Program on Self-Injury and Recovery  website has a resources webpage with many resources for people who self-injure and their friends and family. Visit the website to find information about self-harm, coping skills to use when self-harm urges come up, and information about working with a mental health professional to treat self-harm behaviors. See their Distraction Techniques and Alternative Coping Strategies resource for a list of coping techniques. 
• The Adolescent Self-Injury Foundation offers information about warning signs and treatment for self-injury. Their website provides reliable information to adolescents looking for help with self-harm as well as their friends and family. The organization offers a coping resource “146 Things to do Besides Self-harm”.  

Hours of operation Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. EST 

Call: 800-950-NAMI (6264) 

Text: 62640 

Webchat: www.nami.org/help  

Email: helpline@nami.org