Understanding young people who self harm and their AoD use.

The Murdoch children’s Research Institute (MCRI) has completed a study of almost 2000 Victoria school aged young people, following them from 14 years old to 35 years old. The study shows that social disadvantages, anxiety, use of illicit and licit substances were all common in young people who reported self-harm during adolescence.

As youth workers we often find that young people spend a lot of their time learning how to regulate their own emotions and cope with stress, these coping mechanisms can sometimes present themselves in unhealthy ways such as substance use or self-harm. The Youth AoD Toolbox has excellent resources on young people and self-harm.