The reasons children and teenagers can self-harm are often complicated and will be different for every child or young person. Sometimes a child or teenager may not know the reasons they self-harm.
For many young people, self-harm can feel like a way to cope with difficult feelings or to release tension. The physical pain of hurting themselves can feel like a distraction from the emotional pain they're struggling with.
Some difficult experiences or emotions can make self-harm more likely in children:
The following organisations offer really useful advice if you are worried that your child is self-harming.
The NHS website offers advice on where to seek advice for anyone who is or is thinking about self-harming. Consider
Self Harm Safe Kits have been developed and piloted across Cheshire & Merseyside. The kit was adapted from a resource originally designed by Every Life Matters aimed at offering an early support/guide/intervention to anyone dealing with someone who is self harming or at risk of self harming with specific signposting to local services across Cheshire & Merseyside.
The kit includes:
These organisations offer information and support for anyone who self-harms or thinks about self-harm, or their friends and family:
You can also read the NHS Blog – Blog Advice for parents, guardians and carers on how to support a child or young person if you’re concerned about their mental health
Virtual College have worked in partnership with SelfharmUK to create a free online course Understanding Young Minds. It is designed to help parents talk to children about emotional resilience and self-harm. Parents/carers can find this free course on their website at www.virtual-college.co.uk/free-courses/understanding-young-minds
There are also resources on our children and young people pages which include you tube clips on what happens if a child decides to go and see their GP
PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide is the UK charity dedicated to the prevention of suicide and the promotion of positive mental health and emotional wellbeing in young people.
They provide confidential support and advice to young people struggling with thoughts of suicide, and anyone worried about a young person through their helpline, HOPELINEUK.
The PAPRUS website includes a helpful guide on supporting your child: Self harm and suicide
The Staying Safe website provides information on how to make a safety plan. It includes video tutorials and online templates to guide you through the process.
If you’re worried that a young person cannot stay safe or has taken steps to end their life but is struggling to engage in help for themselves – call the police on 999.
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HOPELINEUK
HOPELINEUK is a confidential support and advice service for children and young people under the age of 35 who are experiencing thoughts of suicide, or anyone concerned that a young person could be thinking about suicide.
If you are having thoughts of suicide or are concerned for a young person who might be you can contact HOPELINEUK for confidential support and practical advice.
Call: 0800 068 4141 Text: 07860 039 967 Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org
Opening Hours: Every Day 9:00 am to 12:00 am (midnight)
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