Self-Harm

If you are at risk of immediate harm, please call 995 or go to an Emergency Department (A&E) at a hospital.

If you need help now

If you have seriously injured yourself, taken an overdose or cannot keep yourself safe, seek emergency care now. In Singapore, call 995 for an emergency ambulance or go to the nearest emergency department. Ask someone you trust to stay with you, if possible. Do not wait for symptoms after an overdose, or for an SCC appointment or message reply. SCC provides scheduled counselling, not an emergency or crisis-response service.

Understanding self-harm

Self-harm means deliberately injuring or poisoning yourself. People may have different reasons, and intentions can change. Some people self-harm without wanting to die; others have suicidal thoughts or feel uncertain about whether they want to live. Every episode merits attention rather than assumptions about intent.

HealthHub’s adult self-harm resource describes how overwhelming feelings can contribute to self-harm. Relief may be brief and followed by more distress. Understanding the pattern helps guide care; it does not make self-harm safe.

There does not have to be one clear explanation. Relationship difficulties, bullying, grief or pressure may be relevant, but a professional should explore your experience rather than decide the cause in advance. You do not need to prove that your situation is serious enough to ask for help.

How it can affect everyday life

You may spend energy hiding what is happening, avoid situations where someone might notice, or feel worried about another urge. Sleep, concentration and relationships may suffer. Looking composed at work, school or home does not tell anyone how much effort it takes to get through the day.

In Singapore, you might worry about family reactions, privacy at work, school commitments or how to explain a visit to a clinician. You can ask a trusted person to accompany you and tell the service your preferred language. You can ask a service how information is handled before beginning. Confidentiality has safety-related limits, which your practitioner should explain clearly rather than promise absolute secrecy.

Taking a first step towards support

A first conversation can be short: “I have been hurting myself, and I need help staying safe.” You can write this down or show it to a GP, polyclinic clinician or trusted person. If you do not know where to begin, national mindline’s First Stop for Mental Health can help you find a suitable support route.

• Seek medical advice about injuries, even if you are unsure whether treatment is needed. A small-looking injury can still require care.
• Tell the clinician about current urges, suicidal thoughts and anything already taken or done. This helps them assess your immediate needs.
• If an urge is building, move towards a safe person or shared space and ask for company. Reduce access to anything you might use to harm yourself, with support where possible.
• If you already have a care or safety plan, use it and contact the people listed. If it is not enough to keep you safe, seek urgent assessment.

These steps support getting help; they are not a substitute for care. You do not have to manage a worsening situation alone or wait until you can explain everything neatly.

What counselling may involve

Counselling can begin with what is happening now: when urges arrive, what you notice beforehand, what makes them harder to manage and what has helped even briefly. Together, you can explore feelings and circumstances without blame, and agree on realistic priorities.

The appropriate care depends on your needs and current safety. Ask the practitioner about their experience with self-harm, how they assess safety and when specialist support may be needed. For teenagers and their families, KKH’s self-injury guide offers an additional local resource for understanding self-injury and finding support.

The work may include recognising early warning signs, practising ways to communicate distress and responding differently to difficult thoughts. A collaborative safety plan can record personal warning signs, supportive contacts and when to seek emergency care. It should be practical enough to use when concentration is poor.

Progress can be uneven. A return of urges is a reason to review support and safety, rather than a reason to hide what has happened. Counselling may sit alongside medical treatment or specialist mental health care.

When other professional care matters

Seek medical assessment for injuries or concerns about your physical health. A GP or polyclinic clinician can also discuss your emotional wellbeing and whether further mental health care is needed. Share whether urges are continuing or becoming harder to manage. Use emergency care for immediate danger; routine counselling cannot replace it.

If you are supporting someone

Listen calmly and ask what would help the person accept care. Avoid blame or demands for promises. NHG Health’s guidance for supporting a young person who self-harms encourages caring, non-confrontational conversations, professional treatment and appropriate cooperation with school. For a child or teen, involve a safe adult and relevant professionals. Supporters should also seek support rather than carry responsibility alone.

Frequently asked questions

Does self-harm always mean someone wants to die?

No, but the two can overlap, and intentions may change. Ask directly about suicidal thoughts and seek assessment. The apparent severity of an injury does not reliably show how distressed someone feels.

Can I seek counselling if I have not stopped?

Yes. You can ask for help while urges or self-harm are still happening. The practitioner will assess whether scheduled counselling is suitable or whether urgent or specialist care is needed first.

Will I have to explain everything at the first session?

You can begin with what feels manageable. Questions about current injuries, urges and immediate safety are important, even when discussing the wider story needs more time.