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Self-harm FAQNCH has compiled this FAQ, especially for children and young people who are self-harming, and their families and friends. For sources of further information and useful helplines and websites, go to the first question in this FAQ.
Where can I find help and further information? Where can I find help and further information?
Help is available for people who self-harm and for their families and friends. The national inquiry into self-harm by young people has an interesting site with facts and figures plus the opportunity to submit evidence if you self-harm The National Children's Bureau's young people's self-harm web pages are a good place to start looking for help and information, for people who self-harm, families and practitioners. You can find these at NCB's self harm website Samaritans offers confidential emotional support 24 hours a day if you're in emotional distress. Contact Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 or email jo@samaritans or visit your local branch (all listed on the website). Visit www.samaritans.org for more information. You can download a report on self-harm free from Samaritans website. Children and young people can contact ChildLine by writing to them at Freepost 1111, London N1 OBR or by telephoning 0800 1111. This free helpline provides confidential counselling for children and young people 24 hours a day. YoungMinds, the children's mental health charity, runs a parents' information service on 0800 018 2138. YoungMinds also produce a helpful booklet called Worried about self-injury? which can be downloaded free from the YoungMinds website
National Self-Harm Network MindinfoLine, is open from 9.15am to 5.15pm Monday to Friday, on 0845 766 0163 provides information on all aspects of mental health and has information on self-harm and how to help someone who is suicidal. Or visit Mind's website. There are many other websites covering self-harm, of variable content and quality.What is self-harm or self-injury?
Self-harm describes a wide range of things people deliberately do to themselves, which appear to be harmful, but usually do not kill them. These include:
Other common harmful actions like smoking, excessive drinking, driving dangerously, using substances like glue or taking drugs are NOT usually seen as self-harm in this sense. Eating disorders may be thought by some to be a form of self-harm, but are not the focus of this FAQ. Who self-harms?
Self-harm by children and young people is not unusual. But it is often hidden because it is done in private or because people are ashamed or afraid. Children and young people can be affected either because they are harming themselves or because their parents or carers or brothers and sisters are. We need to lift the taboo that surrounds self-harm so people can get the support they need. Why self-harm?
People who self-harm usually do so because of some difficulty which they have had. This may include anxiety, depression, bullying, being abused or family breakdown, but can involve many other problems which people face in their everyday lives. But it can be difficult for others to understand why they are doing it or why this is happening to someone they know. Knowing someone else is self-harming can make people angry or upset. Not being able to stop someone hurting themselves or seeing someone bleeding or injured can be distressing. Is self-harm an attempt at suicide?
Self-harm is often a way of coping, not a failed attempt at suicide. People who self-harm sometimes describe it as giving them relief from overwhelming feelings and pressures. They can feel it helps to prevent them attempting suicide. It can continue over many months or years without becoming more dangerous. But, sometimes, self-harm can mean young people kill or seriously injure themselves, if they do not necessarily mean to. So self-harm needs to be taken seriously, but it is important to respond to it in a calm and helpful way. Sometimes people who self-harm are accused of being attention seeking. They can also be considered to be a threat to others. This is not usually the case but can lead to unhelpful attitudes and responses from other people. Above all, most people who self-harm need understanding, and their families and friends may need support. How can you help someone else who has harmed themselves?
Safety
Understanding
Offer but don't force help Some people who self-harm will find it helpful to talk to someone. This could be a friend or family member. But it might be a professional: a youth worker, a doctor or nurse, a social worker, a teacher, a counsellor. However, some people who have self-harmed have had bad experiences from professionals, including accident and emergency and psychiatric services, so you should not immediately assume that these services will be what they want. Ask them. Think about what triggers the self-harm and whether anything else could replace the self-harm. For example, when stress builds up, what else could the child or young person do to relieve it? Think about what dangers there are and how they can be reduced. For example, if someone is cutting themselves, encourage them to do it near where they can get it treated rather than in a private place where they may not be able to get help. Remember that self-harm can be a way of coping, so stopping the self-harm is not always the best thing to aim for immediately. Safety and understanding are more important in the short term. |
More about self-harm
"Look beyond the scars" |
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Published: Monday, 22 November, 2004 08:42 Sitemap | About NCH | Privacy policy | Terms and conditions | Subscribe to our e-newsletter | Media enquiries |
