By Jackie Brook
Alarming numbers of 16–24-year-old men in the UK have revealed that they have intentionally hurt themselves (24%) or have considered it (22%), as a way of coping with a difficult situation or emotion, according to a YouGov survey commissioned by three leading youth charities.
Worryingly, the survey also disclosed that young men, when they feel under pressure or stress, would be likely to drink heavily (21%), punch walls (19%) and control their eating (16%) as ways to cope. Over-exercising (12%), pulling hair (11%) and taking illegal drugs (10%) have also been mentioned as ways of dealing with pressure or stress.
One young man, when asked to talk about the situation or emotion that first led to self-harm said: “I was overworking putting pressure on home and work life. Feeling overwhelmed with stress daily”
The Mix, selfharmUK and YoungMinds have joined forces to shed light on specific self-harm behaviours that young men engage in and have found that these are not alwa...
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