You have been treated for your injuries that have been self inflicted. The following information will help you and your family and friends in this emotionally charged time.
What is Self Harm
Self harm describes a variety of ways in which people deliberately inflict physical injury upon themselves. It often appears harmful but is non-suicidal.
- Often it is used as a means of relieving emotional distress.
- It can continue over many months and many years.
- Self harm is not a mental illness or a sign of insanity.
Types of self harm
There are various methods of self harm but some of the most common include:
- Cutting
- Burning
- Hitting self
- Overdosing
- Hitting walls or other hard objects
- Scratching
Who self harms?
Self harm can affect anyone but often it is hidden. Most people self harm in private and feel ashamed and/or frightened.
Why self harm?
People often self harm as a means of coping with difficult emotional feelings as physical pain can be easier to deal with than psychological pain.
- Self harm can provide temporary relief from emotional distress.
- Self harm can help prevent suicide.
- For some people self harm may well be a survival strategy.
- Self harm is not usually an attention seeking behaviour.
If you self harm
Self harm can be a lonely and isolating experience. It is acknowledged that seeking help and support may be difficult.
- Talking about it can provide some relief and there are various ways of finding support that might help.
- This support may be found through counsellors at school, college, the workplace, GP or peer support.
- There are many networks, some charitable, some run by people who self harm or have self harmed and some by local health organisations.
- These networks provide information, support, contacts and guidance on how to get help and are listed below.
There may be times when you need to seek medical advice:
- If the self harm has resulted in a serious injury
- If you have taken an overdose
- If a cut or burn has resulted in an infection
- If you have lost a lot of blood as shock can develop
Following treatment it may be helpful for you to be seen by someone from the Mental Health Team. The staff in the Emergency Department will advise you on this.
If you ever feel suicidal then please phone the Samaritans or seek help immediately.
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Support for individuals who self harm to reduce emotional distress and improve their quality of life
National Self Harm NetworkContact the Samaritans
We make sure there’s someone there for anyone who needs someone.
Email the SamaritansOur organisation was set up by a committed group of women who wanted to positively transform self-injury and mental health support services in their community.
Self Injury SupportLifeSIGNS is an online, user-led voluntary organisation, founded to create understanding about self-injury and provide information and support to people of all ages affected by self-injury.
LifeSIGNSPAPYRUS is the national charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide.
PAPYRUSChildline is yours – a free, private and confidential service where you can talk about anything. We’re here for you online, on the phone, anytime.
ChildlineYoung Minds are the UK’s leading charity fighting for children and young people’s mental health.
Young MindsMind provides advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. We campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.
MindThe Careline works with specially trained and vetted volunteers, to identify and support the most vulnerable members of local communities across the UK.
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