Self-harm can be defined as a person that deliberately harms their body, which is carried out in a way to alleviate stressful situations, regulate emotions, as a form of escapism, to feel in control or turn hidden pain into a physical pain.
Self-harm can also be known as self-injury, there are many different ways in which a person can self-harm, these can include, cutting, burning, pinching, scratching, scalding, eating or drinking things that are poisonous, not letting wounds heal and overdosing by taking too many tablets.
Identify and recognising any patterns that lead you to self-harm is really helpful to help you understand your triggers. It is really important to look after yourself and this includes identifying a special person that you can trust to speak about self-harming.
You might be feeling overwhelmed and don’t want to talk with your trusted person, so agreeing on a special code word or emoji could help you to communicate with them.
It can be hard to stop self-harming when you have the urges and are unable to use other coping strategies for your emotions. There are many different strategies that can help you reduce the amount of self-harming, so, try the different distractions and comforting strategies in the videos. Identify the ones that help you, make a note of these in your diary and use them when you have the urge to self-harm.
Try to delay your urge to self harm by giving yourself the goal that you will try a distraction or comfort strategy for 5 minutes and then reassess how you are feeling, you can then give yourself another goal of 10 minutes and then keep on increasing the time. You could also reach out to your trusted person or involve them in your distraction/comfort strategy.
Remember to be kind to yourself, practice positive talk, write down positive affirmations about yourself and take control of the choices in your life. Choose things in your life that make you feel good and support your well-being.
Self harm Myths
#1 MYTH: Self-harm is a suicidal act
FACT: Although people can die from self-harm, these instances are accidental; in general, self-harmers do not want to die. In fact, self-Injury may be a way of coping, of regaining control of pain- in order to go on living.
#2 MYTH: People who self-injure are crazy
FACT: Those who self-harm are usually dealing with trauma, not mental health problems. There are exceptions, but by and large, the young person is probably trying to cope with problems in the only way they know how.
#3 MYTH: Injuring yourself is a cry for attention
FACT: Friends, family, and even healthcare professionals may think that if a young person hurts themselves, they are seeking attention, but the painful truth is that people who self-harm generally try to hide what they are doing-rather than draw attention to it – because they feel ashamed and afraid.
#4 MYTH: Self-harm is just the latest fashion which young people will grow out of
FACT: Self-harm is not a phase or a fashion. Listening to certain music, or dressing in certain ways does not lead to self-harm. People of all ages, backgrounds and both genders self-harm. Self-harm is always a signal that something is seriously wrong.
#5 MYTH: don’t approach a young person who self-harm; send them straight to the doctor
FACT: Taking time to listen without judging encourages young people to get their problems out into the open – the first step along the road to recovery
Who you can speak to for support:
- Family
- Friends
- Teachers
- Pastoral Support at school
- Club leaders
- Health Professional e.g School Nurse, GP, Nurse, A&E
- Keyworker or Mental Health Practitioner at CAMHS who can help you to write a safety plan
Ways to communicate with your identified support person
- Text
- Phone
- Letter
- Code word
- Code emoji
SET-CAMHS Office Number: 0800 953 0222, opt 1, opt 3, Monday to Friday 9am-5pm
Out of hours ISS/Crisis Support Service: 0800 955 1000, outside above hours