Who encounters self-injury?
Self-injury is encountered in a range of environments. It is familiar behaviour to staff working in prisons, young offenders’ institutions, secure units, special hospitals and psychiatric hospitals. GPs, psychiatrists, psychologists, psychotherapists and counsellors may also encounter patients or clients that self-injure. In addition, it happens in schools, colleges and universities, and may also be seen in children’s homes, housing projects, and alcohol and drug rehabilitation units. Youth workers, those working with the homeless, and those working in the voluntary sector with rape victims and abuse survivors may also come across the behaviour during the course of their work.
