There are a whole range of reasons people use self-injury and it's very important to focus on an individual's experiences above all else. However research shows that certain experiences and circumstances can increase the risk of self-injury including:

Experiencing sexual abuse or assault

Experiencing or witnessing domestic abuse

Living in an area of social deprivation

Chronic poor health

Being part of a minority or marginalised group such as a BAME commmunity, identifying as LGBTQIA or being disabled

Being involved with the criminal justice system

Experiencing a high number of Adverse Childhood Events (also known as ACEs)