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Feel like hurting yourself?

Self-harm can be a way of dealing with difficult feelings such as deep distress and emotional pain. It may help young people express feelings that can’t easily be put into words, distract from life, or release emotional pain.

What is self harm?

“Self-harm is a way of dealing with very difficult feelings that build up inside. People deal with these feelings in various ways”- Young Minds.

Some of the ways in which people self-harm include:

  • Cutting or burning themselves
  • Hitting or biting themselves
  • Hitting walls or other hard objects
  • Pulling out their hair
  • Taking overdoses.

Why do people self harm?

Young people often can’t explain or figure out why they self-harm. The reasons can be very complicated. Many people who self-harm see their behaviour as a way of surviving. They may be able to cope better with physical pain than with terrible emotional pain.

For more information about self harm visit the TEWV CAMHS website

Getting More Help

Talking to family and friends about your worries can help you feel more supported. You might want to talk to someone outside the family like a GP, teacher or mentor at school, or even a friend’s parent. Choose someone you trust and if you find it difficult to talk about how you are feeling, you could write them a letter or send them a text. Support is also available through Childline, Compass Phoenix, Kooth and Recovery College Online.

Childline

Childline provides a free and confidential telephone service for children and young people up to the age of 19.

Visit Childline website Call 0800 1111

BUZZ US

Compass Phoenix offers a confidential text messaging service, called BUZZ US, to young people aged 11-18 across North Yorkshire.

Visit Compass Phoenix website Call 07520 631168

Recovery College Online

The Recovery College Online provides a range of online educational courses and resources to people with mental illness.

Visit Recovery College Online website

Getting Urgent Help

If you’ve seriously injured yourself or taken an overdose call 999 or get immediate medical advice from NHS 111.

If you are in a crisis and feel like you can’t cope, speak to somebody straight away. Search below for help or see the Urgent Help page for contact details for the North Yorkshire single point of access Crisis Service.


Things you might find useful

Self harm information sheet

How can I talk to someone about my self harm? From the Charlie Waller Memorial Trust.

‘It really is worth talking to someone. It’s the first step in a long journey, but from the moment you take that brave step you’ll feel very much less alone. Good luck!’

Read PDF

YoungMinds - self harm support

Information on what is self harm? Plus support on how to stop self-harming.

Visit Young Minds website

No Harm Done

A short video by YoungMinds, co-produced with young people affected by self-harm, talking about their own experiences.

Watch on YouTube

Support for self-harming behaviour and suicidal thoughts

The North Yorkshire Safeguarding Children Partnership website provides support for children and young people with self-harming behaviour and/or suicidal ideation.

Visit North Yorkshire Safeguarding Children Partnership website

Mind - self harm advice

Darlington Mind offer awareness workshops and counselling for young people aged 11-18 who are experiencing self harm. You can access support if you live in County Durham, Darlington, Hambleton, or Richmondshire. If you or a family member is feeling low and in need of support and assistance, please get in touch with Darlington Mind. More information is available using the below link.

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