1. Self-harm
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2. What is self-harm?
Self-harm is a behaviour not an illness. It is used by people to cope with distress or to communicate that they are distressed.
It can range from relatively minor self-injury to dangerous and life-threatening behaviour.

3. Reasons for self-harming
coping with distress or emotional pain
communicating distress when other methods are unsuccessful
traumatic experience in childhood
conscious or unconscious self-blame
release of endorphins
a way of paying attention to yourself when no one else is doing so.

4. Self-harm self-injury or risk-taking behaviour
gives relief from overwhelming emotional pain
may be the only survival strategy the person knows
Self-harm includes:
deliberate self-injury
self-poisoning
cutting
burning
risk-taking behaviour

5. What self-harm is not
It is not a suicide attempt: the person is attempting to feel better, not escape all feelings.
It is not usually attention seeking.

6. Some common triggers family problems mental health issues
peer pressure
substance misuse
having boy/girlfriend problems
self-esteem issues
feeling lonely
bullying
feelings of being rejected
reaction to trauma or abuse
poor body image
feeling stressed
exams/school work
bereavement
feeling guilty
not having someone close to talk to

7. Warning signs wearing long sleeves at inappropriate times
spending more time in the bathroom
unexplained cuts or bruises, burns or other injuries
razor blades, scissors, knives, plasters have disappeared
unexplained smell of Dettol, TCP, etc
low mood - seems to be depressed or unhappy
mood changes - anger, sadness
low self-esteem
negative life events that could have prompted these feelings, such as bereavement, abuse, exam stress, parental divorce
feelings of worthlessness
changes in eating or sleeping patterns
losing friendships
withdrawal from activities that used to be enjoyed
abuse of alcohol and or drugs
spending more time by themselves and becoming more private or defensive

8. Watch video: https://youtu.be/GsagfQ2Z1Jg