Is this considered self-harm?

I am gonna have to say that I agree with you. Whether or not it is just one cut and not bleeding or deep, it is still self harm because your friend harmed her body. The best thing to do is not get overly worked up about it around your friend, because this may make her do it again. However, watch her and ask her to promise that she won't hurt herself again. Hope I helped :)

Self-harm is pretty much anything that puts deliberate physical stress on one's own body for the sake of reaching a rush, be that dopamine, endorphin, serotonin or other natural hormones/chemicals released by your brain for whatever reason (wanting to forget something, wanting to release tension, etc.). Excessive exercise can also be a way of doing self-harm, so by definition, if your friend hurt herself for the purpose of hurting herself to reach said rush, it can be considered self-harm.

However, it sounds to me like she's not in the danger zone. Superficial cuts are likely the result of experimentation (or a cry for attention, which btw does not (!) necessarily mean she's just acting for the sake of causing a fuss) and should definitely be taken seriously, but seeing as she herself brought up the subject and voluntarily showed you the cut, as long as you're supportive and don't judge her (or overreact) there's most likely no cause for serious alarm.

Source: personal experience.

Agree with you there. Anything that is done with your body with the intention of causing physical pain - and sometimes forgetting emotional pain - can be considered self-harm. That can include anything, from cutting yourself with scissors, to biting your lip.

i agree. it is classed as self harm even if it is one scratch, one could lea to another and then another and so on. keep your eyes on them and tell your other friends to try and be a little bit more considerate there is nothing worse then being told your circumstances do not matter.

I agree aswell because i feel like if she was trying to hurt herself, and if it was even a poke on your body then you know shes trying to do it. And if she was even talking about it i would be alarmed for your friend because shes obviously having negative feelings. It may be hard to decide how to really help her because you probably just want her to be safe. Talking to her about it and explaining to her the seriousness of addiction when cutting would be the best in my opinion. self harm can be very addicting and hard to get rid off completly. I hope your friend gets the help she needs! best of luck.

Yes it is self-harm. She did it probably with the intention to hurt herself. Self-harm can be very addicting. You can talk to her about it. Most of the time there's a reason why people cut theirselfs. Tell her you're concerned about her. She need some support right now, I think and maybe a good friend to talk to.

I definitely agree. Selfharm is anyway of hurting yourself physically or even emotionally. Even though it was "just a scratch" the intention was there.

Yes! If you do anything to harm your body - from scratching to cutting to suicide - it is considered self harm. Don't push her any and don't bring it up every 5 minutes. Just explain to her you're worried about her and if she needs anyine to talk to or come clean about you're there. I hope she's okay and tell her she's an amazing person! It will definatly help!

Any type of physical harm done to oneself on purpose is self-harm. Just because it doesn't look like the self-harm that most people who are unfamiliar with generalize it to be doesn't mean it's not self-harm. For example, loads of people generalize lesbian women as man-haters and gay men as ultra-feminine, but that sure as hell doesn't mean that stereotype isn't idiotic and hurtful to the LGBTQIA+ community. I have a friend who cut herself, but on her calves instead of her arms. I also have friends who have those scars on their wrists where most people assume self-harm scars would be. No matter what form it takes, it's self-harm, and your friend hurt herself on purpose. It's a problem that needs to be addressed. Talk to her about it and get her to go to counseling. Hurting yourself can become addictive.

Be patient with her and remind her how loved she is. Don't freak out on her or act as if it's not important. Do your best to be gentle and understanding with her. She's incredibly strong already, considering she had the courage to tell you two about it. Make sure she stays that strong. Encourage her and stand by her no matter what.

But NEVER act like she's "just making a big deal out of it" or "just looking for attention". Yes, it's a problem, and it's a big one, even if your friend can't see it. And of course she's looking for attention. She's hurting badly inside, to the point that she hurt herself just to try to make the pain go away, and she's terrified. Of course she wants attention. She's probably terrified, stressed out, and probably depressed, if not suicidal. She wants attention because she desperately needs help and she was brave enough to ask for it. Chances are, it took her an immense amount of bravery and a strong moment of self-love to be able to tell herself that she's worthy of being loved and cared for and tell two people who she values that she hurt herself. Give her that attention and help.