If you are self harming, you might feel lonely, isolated and like you can’t tell anyone about it – but you are not alone. We really encourage you to talk about it – and more importantly about how you’re feeling.
It might feel difficult (maybe even impossible) to start with. Sometimes writing, drawing or painting how you’re feeling can help too.
We’re not saying it will fix everything, but it might help you to realise what’s going on inside your head and how you’re feeling, as well as helping others to understand why you may be behaving differently.
You could talk to a friend, family member, someone you trust at school, college or your GP, youth worker, or counsellor.
Here are some ideas that might help you to start a conversation about how you’re feeling:
- I’m finding (…) really hard right now;
- Can we have a chat about (…);
- I’ve being doing (…) to myself and I don’t know why;
- If you’ve got a moment I could really do with a chat;
- Can I talk to you in private please?
Please find here some useful guidance for visiting your GP after you have self harmed or experienced suicidal thoughts [1]
No Harm Done
This is a short video aimed at young people to help you understand self harm and how you can recover from it.
If you’re not quite ready to talk to someone yet, here are some websites where you can find information and support:
- Dorset Mind [2] – Helps children and young people live life mentally healthy. They also support parents, carers and teachers to.
- SelfharmUK [3] – Support for young people affected by self harm.
- The Mix [4] – Not All Self Harm looks Like Self Harm
- YoungMinds [5]