Self-injury may start early in some kids: study

(NEW YORK) Reuters Health – As early as third grade, some children are hitting, cutting or otherwise hurting themselves, according to new research. Studies have suggested about one-fifth of teens and young adults engage in self-injury at some point to relieve negative emotions or reach out for help, for example. But this report is the first to ask the question of kids as young as seven. Researchers found one in 12 of the third-, sixth- and ninth-graders they interviewed had self-injured at least once without the intention of killing themselves. …