Depression can lead to self mutilation because when someone is depressed they use hurting themselves as a way to fill a void. Without a way to express their sadness, they may say it by hurting themselves in a way of expression. Depression is also an opening to many other problems such as self mutilation and anorexia. Self mutilation and anorexia are related because a person tries to control something that they feel is necessary to be excepted. People who were abused, and self injure, do it for many reasons.
Some self injure because it's the only way that they feel in control of something.
By hurting themselves, they are in control of something that happens to them. It's the only way that they can feel in control. Self injury is a way that some people deal with feelings. It doesn't mean that they want to die, but they need a release. Friends can help by understanding and being there.