For information and support relating to COVID-19 please click here

Self-Harm

Reducing barriers to learning.


'Self-harm is when somebody intentionally damages or injures their body. It's usually a way of coping with or expressing overwhelming emotional distress.'

Taken from NHS website

   How self-harm works

What young people have said: Distraction - the physical pain takes the focus away from the emotional pain.Self-punishing - some experience self-hatred or blame and use self-harm to punish themselves.Cleansing ...Read more

   Lets talk loneliness

It’s ok to feel lonely, particularly at a time like this. Don’t suffer in silence, we can all help each other stay connected. It has been loneliness awareness week. A music video has been released to support Shout 85258. ...Read more

   Quick Questions – Are they at risk?

The below list of questions can help anyone in the school community quickly contextualize whether or not a pupil in their care may be at risk of self-harm. Check them out here: Please be aware that this is by no means an extensive list ...Read more

   Self-Harm Practice Guidance

The Derby and Derbyshire Safeguarding boards have put together the below self-harm practice guidance for schools, which includes a raft of useful information, external agency links, incident report forms and more. You can download it here: ...Read more

   Supporting each other:

How staff can help each other with mental health and wellbeing ...Read more

   Talking About Suicide Safety

NB: Papyrus, Our animation explains the reasons why we should talk about suicide safely. ...Read more

   Think about yourself

Self-harm in children and adolescents can lead to strong feelings of anxiety, fear and frustration in the people who are trying to support them. The management of these feelings is an important factor in supporting the child or adolescent. To help you do this, try not to focus too much o...Read more

   What can you do?

Listening and caring is the most important thing you can do to help - showing that you want to know and understand, can make a lot of difference. Seeing the person behind the self-harm is important to show that you care about the whole person and not just the self-harm. Acknowledge t...Read more

   What is self-harm?

Self-harm describes a wide range of behaviours that people use to cope with difficult feelings and distressing life experiences. The majority of people have no intention of ending their life, most do so to manage their feelings. It is estimated that 1 in 15 young people in the UK have deliberate...Read more

   When someone says they’re suicidal we should listen

NB: Harmless - Community Interest Company When someone says they’re suicidal we should listen. It should not be ignored or belittled. It is a big step for someone to be open and vulnerable about suicidal thoughts. If you are worried about someone, reach in. Be there for them...Read more

   When to consider Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)?

It is usually best not to make decisions about risk on your own, but rather in consultation with a senior colleague, or with a CAMHS worker (see below). In order to make a judgement about the level of risk, it is important to take time to talk to the child/adolescent and to enquire about their i...Read more

   World Suicide Prevention Day

Click on the link for some helpful resources: https://www.iasp.info/wp-content/uploads/World-Suicide-Prevention-Day-Suggested-Activities.pdf ...Read more

   World Suicide Prevention Day

...Read more