My entry for =psivamp's surREAL Awareness Contest [link]

Because, while many people would like to catagorize it as "emo" or pass it off as an attempt to get attention, self-injury is a very real and very big issue.

FACTS

Definition:
Self-injury is also termed self-mutilation, self-harm or self-abuse. The behavior is defined as the deliberate, repetitive, impulsive, non-lethal harming of one’s self. Self-injury includes but is not limited to: 1) cutting; 2) scratching; 3) picking scabs or interfering with wound healing; 4) burning; 5) punching self or objects; 6) infecting oneself; 7) inserting objects in skin; 8) bruising or breaking bones; and 9) some forms of hair-pulling. These behaviors, which pose serious risks, may be symptoms of a mental health problem that can be treated.

Reasons for behaviors:
Self-injurers commonly report they feel empty inside, over or under stimulated, unable to express their feelings, lonely, not understood by others, and fearful of intimate relationships and adult responsibilities. Self-injury is their way to cope with or relieve painful or hard-to-express feelings and is generally not a suicide attempt. However, relief is temporary, and a self-destructive cycle often develops without proper treatment

Incidence & Onset:
Experts estimate the incidence of habitual self-injurers is nearly 4 % of the population, with an almost equal number of males and females, although more females present for treatment. Recent studies of high school and college students put the number at approximately one in five. The typical onset of self-harming acts is at puberty although it can be seen in young children as well as adults. The behaviors often last for 5-10 years but can persist much longer without appropriate treatment.

Okay, I'm done.
Information comes from [link]

CREDITS
Model:

Thanks for paying attention!