Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Self-harm, also known as nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), is one of those mental health topics that’s still incredibly misunderstood. So in this video, I want to talk about what self-harm actually is, why people self-harm, the risks we don’t always hear about, and what recovery can really look like.
One of the biggest misconceptions about self-harm is that it always means someone is suicidal, and that isn’t necessarily true. Nonsuicidal self-injury means intentionally hurting ourselves without the intent to die. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t take self-harm seriously. Understanding why we may use self-harm as a coping skill, what triggers those urges, and what’s happening underneath them can help us find healthier ways to cope and get the support we need.
I’ll also walk you through self-harm treatment and recovery, including talk therapy, trauma work, DBT skills, coping skills, and an impulse log you can use to better understand your urges. And remember: struggling again or having a relapse doesn’t erase all the progress you’ve made.
TIMESTAMPS
0:47 Self-harm & BPD
1:48 NSSI & the DSM-5
6:32 Why we self-harm
12:52 Risks of self-harm
15:42 Helping someone
18:56 Treatment & DBT
20:43 Using an impulse log
25:17 Self-harm relapse
27:11 Changing the conversation
If you’re struggling with self-harm or urges to hurt yourself, or you’re worried about someone you love, I hope this video helps you better understand what’s going on and reminds you that support and recovery are possible.
RESOURCES MENTIONED
25 Coping Skills:
youtube.com/watch?v=td4LQ2rxVa0
Traumatized:
geni.us/Bfak0j
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5258190
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2723954
aeon.co/essays/how-self-harm-provokes-the-brain-into-feeling-better
apa.org/monitor/2015/07-08/self-injury
IF YOU NEED SUPPORT NOW
US and Canada: Call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline)
UK and Ireland: Call 116 123 (Samaritans)
Crisis Text Line:
Text HOME to 741741 (US)
686868 (Canada)
85258 (UK)
International directory: findahelpline.com
Let me know in the comments which coping skill you’re going to try. And if you want me to make a follow-up video about self-harm myths, misconceptions, triggers, or recovery, let me know below.
ONLINE THERAPY (enjoy 10% off your first month)
If you're looking for a therapist, BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed online professional:
betterhelp.com/kati
This is an affiliate link, which means a portion of your signup helps support the podcast at no extra cost to you.
SOCIAL
X twitter.com/KatiMorton
TikTok tiktok.com/@katimorton
Facebook facebook.com/katimorton1
Instagram instagram.com/katimorton
Pinterest pinterest.com/katimorton1
Website katimorton.com
Patreon katimorton.com/kati-morton-patreon
BUSINESS INQUIRIES:
Contact Linnea Toney at [linnea@underscoretalent.com](mailto:linnea@underscoretalent.com)
DISCLAIMER
The information provided in this video is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical or mental health advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problem or disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment. Viewing this content does not establish a therapist-client relationship.
#selfharm #mentalhealth #NSSI
Self-harm, also known as nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), is one of those mental health topics that’s still incredibly misunderstood. So in this video, I want to talk about what self-harm actually is, why people self-harm, the risks we don’t always hear about, and what recovery can really look like.
One of the biggest misconceptions about self-harm is that it always means someone is suicidal, and that isn’t necessarily true. Nonsuicidal self-injury means intentionally hurting ourselves without the intent to die. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t take self-harm seriously. Understanding why we may use self-harm as a coping skill, what triggers those urges, and what’s happening underneath them can help us find healthier ways to cope and get the support we need.
I’ll also walk you through self-harm treatment and recovery, including talk therapy, trauma work, DBT skills, coping skills, and an impulse log you can use to better understand your urges. And remember: struggling again or having a relapse doesn’t erase all the progress you’ve made.
TIMESTAMPS
0:47 Self-harm & BPD
1:48 NSSI & the DSM-5
6:32 Why we self-harm
12:52 Risks of self-harm
15:42 Helping someone
18:56 Treatment & DBT
20:43 Using an impulse log
25:17 Self-harm relapse
27:11 Changing the conversation
If you’re struggling with self-harm or urges to hurt yourself, or you’re worried about someone you love, I hope this video helps you better understand what’s going on and reminds you that support and recovery are possible.
RESOURCES MENTIONED
25 Coping Skills:
youtube.com/watch?v=td4LQ2rxVa0
Traumatized:
geni.us/Bfak0j
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5258190
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2723954
aeon.co/essays/how-self-harm-provokes-the-brain-into-feeling-better
apa.org/monitor/2015/07-08/self-injury
IF YOU NEED SUPPORT NOW
US and Canada: Call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline)
UK and Ireland: Call 116 123 (Samaritans)
Crisis Text Line:
Text HOME to 741741 (US)
686868 (Canada)
85258 (UK)
International directory: findahelpline.com
Let me know in the comments which coping skill you’re going to try. And if you want me to make a follow-up video about self-harm myths, misconceptions, triggers, or recovery, let me know below.
ONLINE THERAPY (enjoy 10% off your first month)
If you're looking for a therapist, BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed online professional:
betterhelp.com/kati
This is an affiliate link, which means a portion of your signup helps support the podcast at no extra cost to you.
SOCIAL
X twitter.com/KatiMorton
TikTok tiktok.com/@katimorton
Facebook facebook.com/katimorton1
Instagram instagram.com/katimorton
Pinterest pinterest.com/katimorton1
Website katimorton.com
Patreon katimorton.com/kati-morton-patreon
BUSINESS INQUIRIES:
Contact Linnea Toney at [linnea@underscoretalent.com](mailto:linnea@underscoretalent.com)
DISCLAIMER
The information provided in this video is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical or mental health advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problem or disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment. Viewing this content does not establish a therapist-client relationship.
#selfharm #mentalhealth #NSSI
