Getting help

When you decide to get help, remember you're not alone. Lots of other young people who self-harm have made the same decision - and many have been helped to stop hurting themselves.

One of the best ways to get help is finding someone you can talk to and trust. This could be a parent, grandparent, brother, sister, friend, school nurse, teacher, social worker, school counsellor or youth worker.

If there is no-one you feel you can trust at the moment, there are lots of sources of confidential help and support available. Check out the Organisations and Websites section in the Information Sources part of the site. Sometimes it's easier to talk to someone you don't know - especially if they've been trained to help.

You say

i did self harm and im not proud. i have stopped because i dont want to ruin my life. ive realised that dooing self harm wont stop any of your problems, just talk to friends for help or someone you are close to. its ok and your not alone.

What kind of help?

Start by thinking about what kind of help you would feel most comfortable with. If you’re not sure what you want, try different things until you find something that feels right.

I want to tell other people

I've just turned 20, so I'm not really a young person so much anymore! I self-harmed for about 6 years, and still don't always think I'm really over it, even though I stopped over a year ago.

I wanted to tell other people who might be going through it what everyone always says, please get help.

I've been left with such horrible scars, and just seeing them (which I can't avoid) brings me down, and almost makes me want to do it again. I feel I've ruined myself, even though at the time I felt I had no option.

Despite a lot of people trying to help me, I felt they weren't, but I'm getting through it myself.

It is good to have people there to support you, but I also think you need to have the strength in yourself, too.

I also just want to say that there are people out there, people who will listen, and people who also self-harm, talk to someone, you will feel so much better.

Phone, text or email?

Do you want to speak to someone anonymously over the telephone or would you prefer to send an email or a text? Many organisations now offer these services and it can be a good way to start talking about what is going on for you. Two useful organisations are:

> ChildLine
The website contains information and advice on a range of problems experienced by young people, including self-harm problems at school, relationships, bullying, and eating problems.

> Samaritans
In an emergency the Samaritans offer confidential emotional support 24 hours a day.

Self-help groups

Would you like to join a group where you can meet other people who self-harm?

Support and self-help groups meet on a regular basis. They bring people together to talk and work through their problems.

You can find details of local groups in the Local services section of the website. Your school nurse or GP should also have information about local groups.

> Services
Contact details for counsellors, self-help groups and other services and organisations in your area.

Counselling

Would you prefer one-to-one counselling?

You can get contact details of counsellors and therapists in your area from your GP or from the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy website.

> British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy
Provides information on counselling and therapy and lists local therapists.

Health professionals

Could you talk to your doctor or school nurse or visit a drop in service at school?

They can give you useful advice on how to care for your injuries; help you to find further support; or, refer you to more specialised local mental health services.