Raising awareness about self injury
Self injury is any deliberate, non suicidal behaviour that inflicts physical harm on your body and is aimed at relieving emotional distress. People often feel that physical pain is easier to deal with than emotional pain, because it causes ‘real’ feelings. Injuries can prove to an individual that their emotional pain is real and valid. Self injurious behaviour may calm or awaken a person, yet self injury only provides temporary relief, it does not deal with the underlying issues.
Who can I talk to if I need support?
In the first instance, you should try and let family or friends know what’s going on for you. They may be able to offer support and help keep you safe. There’s no right or wrong way to talk about suicidal feelings – starting the conversation is what’s important.
If you find it difficult to talk to someone you know you could:
- Call a GP – ask for an emergency appointment
- Call 111 out of hours – they will help you find the support and help you need.
- Contact your mental health crisis team – if you have one.
The NHS UK website offers free support for you when you’re feeling down or desperate, and unless stated otherwise, they’re open 24 hours a day, every day. You can also call these helplines for advice if you’re worried about someone else:
Samaritans – for everyone
- Call 116 123
- Email jo@samaritans.org
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)
- Call 0800 58 58 58 – 5pm to midnight every day
- Visit the webchat page
Papyrus – for people under 35
- Call 0800 068 41 41 – 9am to midnight every day
- Text 07860 039967
- Email pat@papyrus-uk.org
Childline – for children and young people under 19
- Call 0800 1111 – the number will not show up on your phone bill
SOS Silence of Suicide – for everyone
- Freephone helpline: 0808 115 1505 (Open Mon-Fri, 8pm until midnight, Sat & Sun, 4pm until midnight)
- Website: https://silenceofsuicidesos.org.uk/
- Email: Contact@silenceofsuicidesos.org.uk
If you do not want to talk to someone over the phone, these text lines are also open 24 hours a day, every day:
Shout Crisis Text Line – for everyone
- Text "SHOUT" to 85258
YoungMinds Crisis Messenger – for people under 19
- Text "YM" to 85258
Tips for coping right now
- try not to think about the future – just focus on getting through today
- stay away from drugs and alcohol
- get yourself to a safe place, like a friend's house
- be around other people
- do something you usually enjoy, such as spending time with a pet
Self – Injury Awareness Day:
Self – Injury Awareness Day is on the 1st of March every year, and is an international event that is recognised across the globe.
Raising awareness is about educating people who do not self injure, and reaching out to people who do.
For more information about Self – Injury Awareness Day, please visit: https://www.lifesigns.org.uk/siad/
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