Self-harm
Self-harm is when someone hurts themselves to deal with difficult feelings or situations.
WHAT IS SELF-HARM?
Self-harm is when you hurt yourself as a way of coping with life’s challenges.
Self-harm could involve causing physical harm to your body, or it could be less obvious, such as putting yourself in risky situations, excessive exercise, over-eating or under-eating.
Self-harm can make you feel better temporarily, but the cause of your distress is unlikely to have gone away. You may feel embarrassed or ashamed of self-harming. These and other worries might mean that you keep it hidden from anyone. This is a common reaction.
It is okay not to know or not to understand why you are self-harming -you can still ask for help.
If you are thinking of stopping or reducing self-harming you might find it difficult to know where to start. There are some things that you can try to help yourself.
how can i help myself?
keep a diary
This will help you record what happens before, during or after self-harm to understand what triggers the urge to self-harm.
distract and delay
Honour a loved one by setting up an online tribute page where friends and family can donate, share memories, and celebrate their life.
You can set up a tribute page on JustGiving.
TALK TO SOMEONE
Talking to somebody in a confidential setting might help you to understand your self-harm better and might in turn help you to look after yourself in a different way.
what can i do if i know somebody self-harms?
This information is for family or friends who want to support someone who self-harms.
Make sure you let the person you want to support know that you are there for them if they need you or want to talk. Talking about self-harm with a person you care about can be upsetting and difficult for both of you. It might be useful for you to seek additional support. Some organisations offer parent-to parent support such as Pinpoint.
what support is available?
It is important to decide who would be a trusted person to talk to if you are reaching out for support for self-harm. You might feel able to talk to family members, but this might feel uncomfortable too and that is okay. You can talk to your doctor, particularly if you are scared or worried about your injuries. Your doctor might also be able to refer you to more specialist services.
There are telephone and email helplines you could contact anonymously, and websites that can be really useful.
Samaritans offers anonymous, non-judgmental support. You can call Samaritans for free 24/7 on 116 123.
The Self Harm website has lots of information for young people who are struggling with self-harm, including online support groups.
If you are aged under 19, you can call ChildLine for support for free on 0800 1111 or use its one-to-one online chat service.
This guide from Cambridge and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust contains useful information around self-harm and where to find help.
You can find helpful information, advice and support for young people affected by mental health on Young Minds' website.
TALK TO US
Centre 33 offers confidential counselling. It might be useful to talk to a trained therapist who will work with you in a non-judgemental way.
WELLBEING TOOLKIT
Our Wellbeing Toolkit is packed with helpful advice, videos and resources designed to support you with your mental health and wellbeing. Covering a range topics, from managing stress and anxiety to building confidence and coping with change, our toolkit offers practical tips and guidance to help you take care of yourself.
NEED HELP NOW?
If you don’t feel you can keep yourself safe right now, the following help is available to you.
• Go to any A&E department.
• Call 999.
• Call NHS 111 First Response Service and select option 2.
• Go to your GP.
• Samaritans is available 24/7 for free by calling 116 123.
• The Cambridge mental health helpline Life Line is available from 7pm to 11pm for free on 0808 808 2121.
