Contact HOPElineUK at 0800 068 4141 (9am to midnight, every day of the year)
Self Harm
It is important to recognise the signs of self-harm, it can occur when overwhelming feelings build up inside or/and when somebody feel isolated, angry, guilty or desperate.
Although it may feel hard, there are alternatives that can divert the habit from causing physical harm.
Some of these are comforting options:
- having a warm bath
- spending time with pets
- massaging the areas you want to harm
Other coping mechanisms are designed to let emotions out:
- screaming into a pillow
- using an elastic band to ping when you feel the urge to self-harm
- drawing on arm with red marker
- squeezing a stress ball or ice
If you are struggling to cope with urges to self-harm, there is lots of support available:
- Alumina is a free, online 7 week course for young people struggling with self-harm. Each course has up to 8 young people, all accessing the sessions from their own phones, tablets or laptops across the UK.
- MIND are available via their support line on 0300 123 3393 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm)
- Young Minds provides advice on how to receive help if you are struggling with self harm. You can also contact the Young Minds Crisis Messenger by texting YM to 85258.
- Contact Childline at 0800 1111
