Non-suicidal self-injury means that a person injures themself on purpose. Self-injury can include cutting, scratching, and biting the skin until it bleeds. Some people may burn their skin with something hot or punch their bodies. Or they may hit their heads against something hard, such as a wall.

There are many reasons people self-injure. For example, some may do it because they have a hard time with managing emotions like anger or sadness. Or they may do it to relieve stress or anxiety. It's common for a person to hide their injuries.

People who self-injure don't do it to die. But sometimes they may also be thinking about suicide.