Self-harm is when a person hurts themselves deliberately as a way of dealing with very difficult feelings, painful memories or overwhelming situations and experiences that feel out of control. It can create a calming sensation or be used to ‘awaken’ a person who is feeling numb and dissociated.
The most common forms of self-injury are scratching, cutting, burning and non-suicidal overdosing (chronic self-medication). Many people find unique ways to hurt themselves and acts are often secretive.
Sometimes there are a warning signs which include:
- Negativity and lack of self-esteem
- Appearing unhappy or depressed
- Out of character behaviour
- A history of bullying or problems at home
- A sudden change in friends or withdrawal from a group
Sometimes there are indications of self-injury which include:
- Obvious cuts, scratches or burns that do not appear of an accidental nature
- Head banging, hitting or pulling hair
- Frequent ‘accidents’ that cause physical injury
- Taking personal risks or neglecting themselves
- Reluctance to take part in physical exercise or other activities that require a change of clothes
- Wearing long sleeves and trousers even during hot weather
Schools are in a unique position to notice warning signs and indications of self-injury in their pupils. It is really important that you do no react negatively, remain calm and make it known that you are available to listen. Schools are encouraged to have a self-injury policy in place.
This video covers; self-harm in primary school children, the cycle of self-harm, identifying the signs, self-harm behaviour, school community support, responding to an incident and working with families.
Above is a link to our Local CAMHS produced video for parents (and practitioners) to guide them through supporting a child’s SH behaviours/thoughts/feelings.
In the UK
Self-harm affects up to 1 in 5 young people. It’s often a sign of an underlying mental health problem as is used as a way of relief or escape (Young Minds).
In Torbay
rates of emergency hospital admissions for self-harm are significantly higher than the England and South West average. There were 711 hospital admission per 100,000 young people aged 10-24 years in Torbay in 2021/22. For more local statistics please view our data profile:
In Torbay people who supported young people with their self-harm (including teachers) felt that:
- Generally, supporters felt young people’s wellbeing - and their parents’, which is understood as highly determinative of young people’s wellbeing - had declined in recent years, exacerbated by the pandemic.
- Those working in schools tended to offer in-house support rather than referring young people elsewhere - not because it was the most appropriate place but because they felt despondent about the appropriateness or availability of support elsewhere.
For more community consultation info please view the report and supporting documents here: https://www.makespaceco.org/communityconsultation