Self-harm is when somebody intentionally damages or injures their body. There are many different reasons why someone may hurt themselves. Support is available for anyone who does self-harm or thinks about self-harm.
Some reasons people self-harm includes:
- Expressing or coping with emotional distress
- Trying to feel in control
- Turning the invisible pain of thoughts and feelings into a visible physical pain
- To punish themselves for their feelings and experiences
- To stop feeling numb or disconnected
- To feel relief from unbearable emotions
- A response to intrusive thoughts
- To escape for traumatic memories
Self-harm may be linked to difficult experiences that are happening now, or have happened in the past.
Sometimes the reason for self-harm is unknown, and reasons can also change over time. The reasons will not be the same for everybody.
Although self-harm may seem to provide relief in the moment, it often is not helpful in the longer-term; The cause of the problem is unlikely to have gone away, and self-harm can cause more problems such as scarring, infections or stress in relationships. It can also become difficult to stop especially if you have been self-harming for a long period of time.
If you hurt yourself badly and you need medical help, you might need to visit your local minor injury or Accident and Emergency unit.
Help is available via call 111 choose option 2 service or your GP. They will listen and discuss the options available. These may include self-help or support groups. They can also give advice on treatment for minor injuries.
You might be referred to your local mental health service who can offer you an assessment and help you with accessing further support including psychological therapy (talking therapy), medication, support groups. You can also check available support and resources below.
Available Support and Resources
The Sanctuary
The sanctuary service is an out of hours service that provides practical and therapeutic person-centred support to anyone at risk of mental health crisis. Opening Times: 6pm-3am 7 days a week, 365 days a year
It supports anyone over the age of 17 years and 9 months living in the Swansea and NPT area experiencing stress/anxiety, depression, low mood, financial worries, loneliness, relationship breakdowns, suffering from domestic violence or deteriorating of mental health because of situational factors. Call 01792 399 676
CREST
CREST – College of Recovery Education Skills & Training offers a range of mental health recovery focussed courses for ‘care coordinated’ students. The College is a formal learning institution that creates an environment in which people with a lived experience of mental distress feel safe, welcome and accepted and where they provide education as a route to recovery. Call on 01792 652 101 or email crest@swansea.gov.uk
App - Calm Harm
The urge to self-harm is like a wave. It feels the most powerful when you start wanting to do it.
Learn to ride the wave with the free Calm Harm app by choosing activities from these categories:
Comfort, Distract, Express Yourself, Release, and Random.
Calm Harm is a free app that helps you manage or resist the urge to self-harm.
App - distrACT
Concerned about self-harm? Feeling suicidal? Not sure what to do next? Then this app is for you.
The distrACT app provides easy, quick and discreet access to general health information, self-help tips and links to support and trusted resources for those who self-harm or feel suicidal – and those supporting them.