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Rooks Heath School

Rooks Heath School

Strive to be your best

Self-Harm

What is self-harm?

Self-harm describes any behaviour where someone intentionally causes harm to themselves.  Self-harm comes in many different forms:
•    Cutting yourself
•    Poisoning yourself
•    Over-eating or under-eating
•    Biting yourself
•    Picking or scratching at your skin
•    Burning your skin
•    Inserting objects into your body
•    Hitting yourself or walls
•    Overdosing
•    Exercising excessively
•    Pulling your hair
•    Getting into fights where you know you will get hurt

What are the signs that a young person may be self-harming?

The signs below may be an indication of other things and do not always mean that someone is self-harming.  Also, there may be no warning signs, therefore it is important that if you suspect a friend or family member is self-harming, that you ask them openly and honestly. 

Some of these signs may be:
•    Withdrawal or isolation from everyday life.
•    Signs of depression such as low mood, tearfulness or a lack of motivation or interest in anything.
•    Changes in mood.
•    Changes in eating/sleeping habits.
•    Changes in activity and mood, e.g. more aggressive than usual.
•    Talking about self-harming or suicide.
•    Abusing drugs or alcohol.
•    Expressing feelings of failure, uselessness or loss of hope.
•    Risk taking behaviour (substance misuse, unprotected sexual acts).
•    Signs of low self-esteem such as blaming themselves for any problems or saying they are not good enough.
•    Unexplained cuts, bruises or marks.
•    Covering up all the time, when in hot weather.
•    Being quieter than usual.
•    Lacking energy.

Where or who do I go to for support?

It takes a lot of courage to make the first step to tell someone what you are experiencing, and equally, if you are a friend or family member.  The disclosure of something so personal and intimate will always be a challenge.  At Rooks Heath, we have experienced members of staff; our Counsellor and Safeguarding Team who are trained in supporting students and family members who are suffering the effects of self-harm.  We would encourage you to share your experience, so that we can support you and your loved ones to stay safe. However, we understand that involving school can be a challenge and so a visit to your GP would be our first suggestion.  There are also charities that specialise in supporting self-harmers, with confidential and highly trained therapists, and these are listed below in ‘Useful Contacts’. Early intervention always offers the best outcomes. 

How can I support a young person that is self-harming?

It can be very difficult to know what to do to support someone that is self-harming. Remember, self-harm isn’t a suicide attempt or a cry for attention.  Self-harm is not uncommon and affects more people than you might think.  You will not be alone in your experience, however much you feel isolated by it, and there is a lot of support and information available. With the right help and care, people that self-harm can and do fully recover.

Useful Contacts and Further Information

•    The Mental Health Foundation:  The truth about self-harm:  for young people and their friends and families. This booklet aims to help you understand more about self-harm and what to do if you are worried about yourself or someone else. It explains what self-harm is, what to do if you or someone you know is self-harming, and how to get help.  Self-harm is very common and affects more people than you might think. www.mentalhealth.org.uk
•    CS@rooksheath.harrow.sch.uk – email address for Rooks Heaths Safeguarding Team.
•    PAPYRUS – Prevention of Young Suicide.  They have a collection of useful leaflets for student and parents. Here are just a few of their resources.
https://papyrus-uk.org/hopebox-resource/
https://papyrus-uk.org/001159-papyrus-leaflet_sexuality-and-gender/
https://papyrus-uk.org/001159-papyrus-leaflet_self-harm/
https://papyrus-uk.org/001159-tri-folded-leaflet-a4/
https://papyrus-uk.org/distraction-techniques/
https://papyrus-uk.org/coping-strategies/
https://papyrus-uk.org/v1-nightline-a5-flyer-151118/ - really good one for if you are worried about a friend.

•    SelfHarm.co.uk – www.selfharm.co.uk  is a project dedicated to supporting young people impacted by self-harm, providing a safe space to talk, ask any questions and be honest about what's going on in your life. 
•    Young Minds - www.youngminds.org.uk is the UK’s leading charity committed to improving the emotional wellbeing and mental health of children and young people. Driven by their experiences they campaign, research and influence policy and practice.
•    WISH Centre – www.thewishcentre.org.uk – they support young people with highly trained psychotherapists and offer free talking therapy. 

Some websites that have been recommended by young people include:

Some telephone helplines offer specialist advice on self-harm, others operate only as a ‘friendly listening ear’ – something many young people have said they value, particularly when they feel they have no-one else that they can turn to. 

Helpful telephone numbers include:
•    ChildLine – 0800 1111
•    Samaritans – 08457 90 90 90
•    Family Lives – 0808 800 2222
•    Young Minds – 0808 802 5544
•    Get Connected – 0808 808 4994

Further reading:

•    “Healing Self-Injury: A Compassionate Guide for Parents and Other Loved Ones” by Janis Whitlock, (Oxford University Press) – this book offers hope to parents and carers of young people that self-harm.

•    ‘Freedom from Self-Harm: Overcoming Self-Injury with Skills from DBT and Other Treatments’ by Kim L. Gratz PhD (Author), Alexander L. Chapman PhD RPsych (Author)