Study paper from 2014 in the field of Education - Miscellaneous, grade: 1.7, University of Potsdam, course: Development and Learning in Adolescence, language: German. Abstract: Why does a person self-harm and possibly consciously or unconsciously accept their own death? This is a very complex question that cannot be answered universally. Individual triggers that represent a significant turning point, such as the death of a close person, likely provide a starting point. However, the reasons for choosing such behavior as an option probably run much deeper. People lack alternatives to adequately free themselves from this situation. Alternatives could be provided by the social environment and one's own self-esteem. However, self-esteem presupposes a certain level of awareness.