Self Harm
Self-harm can be defined as deliberately hurting yourself to deal with often complex and difficult feelings. For many self harm can be a means of expressing emotions that may seem overwhelming. However self-harm and the thoughts behind it can be helped.
There are many reasons why people self harm, some more obvious than others:
- School/exams
- Abuse/neglect
- Traumatic event/memory
- Boy/Girlfriend problems
- Bullying
- Friend/Family problems
- Bereavement
- Parents nagging
- Money
- Peer pressure
- Drugs/Alcohol abuse
- Growing up
- Sexuality
How to help others
- Don't judge them.
- Don't force them to get help.
- Always be there to listen and offer to go with them if the decide to get help.
- Don't go running off and tell lots of people.
- Don't treat them as if they are 'mentally ill' or any different from how you usually do.
- Take them seriously.
- Let them maintain control of the situation and give suggestions don't tell them what to do.
- Don't make them feel guilty/stupid.
- Don't give them an ultimatum.
There are lots of services who give support and advice to young people when they need it:
The Lowdown
Tel: 01604 622223
Route 97
Tel: 01604 634310
Service Six
Tel: 01933 226615
Kettering Youth Information
Tel: 01536 510089
Time2Talk
Tel: 01327 706706
Website: www.time2talk.org.uk
