Singapore study reveals 1 in 4 young people have self-harmed
One in four
Singaporeans aged 15 to 35 have engaged in deliberate self-harm at least once, researchers have found, with the behaviour especially prevalent among teenagers – highlighting mounting concerns about emotional distress and unhealthy coping strategies in younger age groups.
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The findings, published in March, were drawn from a national study conducted by Singapore's Institute of Mental Health (IMH) involving 2,600 respondents. It categorised behaviours such as cutting, burning, hitting or other forms of deliberate self-harm as non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI).
The median age that such self-harm starts is 14, while males typically have a second peak at around age 18, according to the study.
Roughly 11.6 per cent of respondents reported engaging in self-harm at least five times.
Cutting was the most prevalent form of self-injury, cited by about 13.5 per cent of respondents, followed by severe scratching, self-punching and headbanging.
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Although NSSI is not formally classified as a mental disorder, experts have cautioned that it often reflects underlying psychological distress. Swapna Verma, chairman of IMH's medical board, told The Straits Times that young people may turn to self-harm when overwhelmed by emotions they are unable to manage in healthier ways.
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Singapore study reveals 1 in 4 young people have self-harmed
One in four Singaporeans aged 15 to 35 have engaged in deliberate self-harm at least once, researchers have found, with the behaviour especially prevalent among teenagers – highlighting mounting concerns about emotional distress and unhealthy coping strategies in younger age groups. Advertisement The findings, published in March, were drawn from a national study conducted by Singapore's Institute of Mental Health (IMH) involving 2,600 respondents. It categorised behaviours such as cutting, burning, hitting or other forms of deliberate self-harm as non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). The median age that such self-harm starts is 14, while males typically have a second peak at around age 18, according to the study. Roughly 11.6 per cent of respondents reported engaging in self-harm at least five times. Cutting was the most prevalent form of self-injury, cited by about 13.5 per cent of respondents, followed by severe scratching, self-punching and headbanging. Advertisement Although NSSI is not formally classified as a mental disorder, experts have cautioned that it often reflects underlying psychological distress. Swapna Verma, chairman of IMH's medical board, told The Straits Times that young people may turn to self-harm when overwhelmed by emotions they are unable to manage in healthier ways.
