Signs that an individual might be on the verge of self-harm are often found in their online actions, but can word choices in posts indicate who is at particular risk and when? A new study published July 8 in the Nature journal npj Mental Health Research provides insights into the discussion and course of self-harm online. “One of the main reasons we focus on BPD is that it’s very strongly associated with self-harm and suicidality,” Entwistle said. The question remains as to whether the dynamic of rewarding negative posts constitutes reinforcement of negative behaviors and if it is specific to BPD communities. “However, what our findings do suggest is that — as members of support communities — we may need to rethink how social media frames engagement.