Samaritans
Whatever you're going through, you can contact the Samaritans for support. This is a listening service and does not offer advice or intervention.
Self-harm
Why people self-harm
Self-harm is when somebody intentionally damages or injures their body.
Some of the reasons that people may self-harm include:
- expressing or coping with emotional distress
- trying to feel in control
- a way of punishing themselves
- relieving unbearable tension
- a cry for help
- a response to intrusive thoughts
Self-harm may be linked to bad experiences that are happening now, or in the past. But sometimes the reason is unknown.
The reasons can also change over time and will not be the same for everybody.
Common causes of emotional distress
Self-harm is most often described as a way to express or cope with emotional distress.
There are many possible causes of emotional distress. It’s often a build-up of many smaller things that leads people to think about self-harm.
Some examples include:
- being bullied
- pressure at school or work
- family arguments or relationship problems
- money worries
- low self-esteem
- struggling with stress, anxiety or depression
- confusion about sexuality
- grief after bereavement or loss
- physical or sexual abuse
- being in contact with the criminal justice system experiencing complex mental health difficulties that sometimes cause impulsive behaviour or difficulty controlling emotions, often due to past trauma
Self-harm and suicide
There is evidence of a clear link between suicide or suicidal thoughts and people who have previously self-harmed.
However, not everyone who self-harms wants to end their life. Some people describe their self-harm as a way of staying alive by responding to or coping with severe emotional distress.
It’s important to find the right support or treatment to help deal with the underlying cause in a less harmful way.
Do
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try talking about your feelings to a friend, family member, trained volunteer or health professional. You could contact Samaritans, call: 116 123 or email: jo@samaritans.org if you need someone to talk to
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try working out if feeling a certain way leads to your self-harm – for example, when you’re feeling sad or anxious you could try expressing that emotion in a safer way
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try waiting before you consider self-harm – distract yourself by going out for a walk, listening to music, or doing something else harmless that interests you; the need to self-harm may begin to pass over time
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try calming breathing exercises or other things you find relaxing to reduce feelings of anxiety
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write down your feelings – no one else needs to see it
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read about mental health and wellbeing – including help for common feelings such as stress, anxiety and depression
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if you struggle with suicidal thoughts, it may help to make a safety plan to use if you need it – the Staying Safe website has a guide on how to make a safety plan
Speak to a GP if:
- you’re harming yourself
- you’re having thoughts about harming yourself
- you’re worried about minor injuries, such as small cuts or burns – without treatment there is a risk of infection
Some people who self-harm are at a higher risk of suicide.
It’s important to get support or treatment as soon as possible to help with the underlying cause and prevent suicidal thoughts developing.
If you just need to talk, any time of day or night
Free listening services
These services offer confidential advice from trained volunteers. You can talk about anything that’s troubling you, no matter how difficult:
- Call 116 123 to talk to Samaritans, or email: jo@samaritans.org for a reply within 24 hours
- Text “SHOUT” to 85258 to contact the Shout Crisis Text Line, or text “YM” if you’re under 19
If you’re under 19, you can also call 0800 1111 to talk to Childline. The number will not appear on your phone bill.
If you prefer a webchat, these services are available at certain times:
- Self Injury Support webchat (for women and girls) is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 7pm to 9.30pm
- CALM webchat (for men) is open from 5pm to midnight every day
Further information and support
These organisations offer information and support for anyone who self-harms or thinks about self-harm, or their friends and family:
- Mind – call 0300 123 3393 or text 86463 (9am to 6pm on weekdays)
- Harmless – email info@harmless.org.uk
- Self-injury Support (for women and girls)
- CALM (for men)
- YoungMinds Parents Helpline – call 0808 802 5544 (9.30am to 4pm on weekdays)
- National Self Harm Network forums
- Health for Teens – self-harm information and advice
If you struggle with suicidal thoughts or are supporting someone else, 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.
Get some help
Organisations that can help
Childline
Get help and advice about a wide range of issues. Call 0800 1111, talk to a counsellor online, send Childline an email or post on the message boards.
The Mix
The Mix can help you take on any challenge you’re facing - from mental health to money, from homelessness to finding a job, from break-ups to drugs.
Papyrus
Are you, or is a young person you know, not coping with life? For confidential suicide prevention advice contact HOPELINE247.
Shout
It's free to text Shout on 85258 from all major mobile networks in the UK anytime, day or night. Your messages are confidential and anonymous.
Youngminds
Whether you want to understand more about how you're feeling and find ways to feel better, or you want to support someone who's struggling, Youngminds can help.