is it a mental heath problem when some starts self hamming themselves, or is it not?

Question: is it a mental heath problem when some starts self hamming themselves, or is it not?
- Keywords:
  body,
  emotion,
  heath,
  mental,
  mind,
  psychology,
  starts
Asked by page6 to Anouk, Chris, Judith, Leisha, Seyyed on 19 Jun 2012.
- Anouk Gouvras answered on 19 Jun 2012:
  
  self harm is a symptom of mental or emotional distress and is diagnosed as a mental health problem but not all mental health problems involve self harm. There are many other types of mental health problems. Regarding self-harm I think this is a useful page http://www.mind.org.uk/help/diagnoses_and_conditions/self-harm
- Chris Kettle answered on 19 Jun 2012:
  
  Self harm is usually due to an imbalance in a persons mental State. That’s why they seek medical help and pharmaceuticals. Self harm apparently brings a momentary release from the pain Ppeople are feeling but can leadd to lifelong scarring – so is best avoided
- Judith Sleeman answered on 20 Jun 2012:
  
  Self harm is definitely a sign of distress and shouldn’t be ignored. The link Anouk posted is excellent.

Question: is it a mental heath problem when some starts self hamming themselves, or is it not?