Self-Harm Concerns Young Singaporeans, Study Reveals

A recent study indicates a concerning trend of self-harm among Singaporean youth, with one in four reporting engaging in self-injurious behaviors. This highlights the urgent need for increased awareness and support systems to address underlying emotional distress in young people.

Prevalence and Patterns of Self-Harm

The research, which assessed 2,600 individuals between 15 and 35 years old, revealed that self-harm, including cutting and hitting, is a significant issue. The median age for starting self-harm was 14, with a second peak at 18 for males.

Cutting was the most prevalent method, affecting almost 13.5% of participants. Other methods included severe scratching, punching themselves, and banging their heads. Repetitive self-harm, defined as at least five instances, was reported by 11.6% of respondents.

“Young people may resort to self-harm as a way to cope with overwhelming emotions or distress that they don’t have the tools to manage in healthier ways.

—Dr. Swapna Verma, Chairman of the Medical Board at IMH

According to a 2024 study, the rate of self-harm among adolescents has increased by 10% globally in the last decade, underscoring the need for proactive interventions (World Health Organization).

Risk Factors and Contributing Factors

The study found females are twice as likely to engage in self-injury than males. Researchers suggest that increased psychological distress could be a factor. Additionally, lower educational attainment, body image dissatisfaction, and symptoms of depression and anxiety increased the odds of self-harm.

Ms. Sherilyn Chang, a senior research officer at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), noted that individuals with body dissatisfaction may disregard their bodies. This can facilitate self-harm when facing intense emotional distress.

Recommendations and Support

Given that self-harm often starts early, the study recommends training school personnel to recognize and respond to warning signs. It also calls for preventative programs to promote resilience and healthy coping strategies.

The Character and Citizenship Education curriculum currently incorporates mental health lessons to manage emotions and seek help. Researchers also emphasize improving societal awareness, as self-harm is often stigmatized.

Dr. Swapna notes that parents might not realize self-harm is an issue since teenagers often hide it. Knowing warning signs can help parents respond appropriately, creating a safe space for communication.