Self-Injury

If someone you know is in immediate physical danger, please contact 911 or local law enforcement for help.

If the threat of physical danger isn't immediate, there are things you can do to help:

  • Report the content to us so we can reach out to this person with information that may be helpful to them
  • Share resources and contact information that this person may find helpful
  • Provide support to this person or contact a family member, friend, counselor or teacher, who may be able to provide support

Report the content


To report a post for suicide or self-injury:

  1. Tap above the post
  2. Tap Report
  3. Select It's Inappropriate > Self injury

Share Resources


Suicide Prevention

Self-Injury

Eating Disorders

Provide Support

  • Take the experience seriously and view resources for responding to suicide warning signals.
  • If possible, make sure your friend doesn’t have easy access to firearms or large doses of medication.
  • Listen carefully, communicate care and avoid offering solutions unless your friend asks.
  • Validate your friend's emotions and let them know they're important to you.
  • Be available, both today and in the future. Follow up with your friend regularly to show that you care.
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If you're in immediate physical danger, please contact local law enforcement or a suicide hotline for help.

If you're going through something difficult and the threat isn't immediate, we want you to know there are things you can do right now that may help you:

Talk to someone at a helpline


Suicide Prevention

Self-Injury

Eating Disorders

Reach out to someone you trust


Contact someone you trust, like a family member, friend, counselor or teacher, and ask them to let you share what’s on your mind. For example, you could say, "I'm going through something difficult and was hoping to talk to you about it. If that's OK with you, can you take some time to listen?"

Give yourself a break and do something that makes you feel happy and good about yourself


It can be difficult to focus when you're overwhelmed or can't find a solution to a problem right away. Stop for a moment, take a deep breath and give yourself a break from your feelings.

Try some of these tips from self-care experts at Forefront and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Get out for a while:
  • Go for a walk, jog or bike ride
  • Go to the movies
  • Visit somewhere new, like a coffee shop, museum or park you've never been
Be creative:
  • Draw something simple
  • Make a nice meal
  • Write a short story
Soothe your senses:
  • Meditate or do yoga
  • Take a hot shower
  • Listen to your favorite songs
Relax:
  • Look at the clouds
  • Read a book, magazine or blog post
  • Take a nap

If the tips above don't work for you, see more things you can do right now.

You can also learn more about dealing with suicidal thoughts and find local self-care experts.

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Suicide hotlines provide help to those in need. Contact a hotline if you need support yourself or need help supporting a friend. If you're concerned about a friend, please encourage the person to contact a hotline as well.

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If someone you know is in immediate physical danger, contact 911 or a suicide hotline immediately. Please explain to law enforcement that this is a member of their community so they can provide custom support.

We also ask that you report the content to us so we can reach out to this person with information that may be helpful to them:

  1. Tap (iPhone and Windows Phone) or(Android) below the post
  2. Tap Report > It's inappropriate
  3. Select Self injury

You can also share resources:

Learn about other resources and tips for providing support.

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If a friend or family member is planning suicide or you've seen a direct threat of suicide on Instagram, please contact your local emergency services or a suicide hotline immediately. We also ask that you tell us if you see something that suggests suicide or self-injury on Facebook.

The Veterans Crisis Line provides customized support to members of the military community, including veterans, active duty service members and their families. Support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

You can contact them by:

Additional resources available to the military community include:

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If you've encountered a direct threat of suicide on Instagram, please contact law enforcement or a suicide hotline immediately.

The Trevor Project specializes in suicide prevention for LGBT youth and offers a lifeline that people in the US can contact by calling 1-866-488-7386. The Trevor Project also offers resources for concerned friends and family members of LGBT youth. Learn more about The Trevor Project on their website: http://www.thetrevorproject.org/.

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