Self Harm with The Social Care Training Hub

Self-harm refers to purposeful acts that cause harm to one’s body and emotional wellbeing. Examples include cutting the skin with pieces of glass or razor blades; hitting oneself and burning, scratching or picking wounds or preventing wounds from healing; inserting objects into one’s body. Hair pulling; and cutting is the most common form of self-injury among today’s young people.

In a broad sense, behaviours such as alcohol and drug addiction smoking, bingeing on food and staying in a violent relationship can also be considered forms of self-harming.
People who self-harm may not be trying to kill themselves. Typically, they are not trying to end all feeling; they are trying to feel better.

People cope with difficult feelings, thoughts or situations in different ways. Some young people cope by harming themselves on purpose—and it may be the only way for them to feel better. Self-harm may seem upsetting, but it’s important to look beyond the scars and see what’s really going on emotionally.
Some people self-harm:

• To cope with depression and anxiety
• To cope with trauma, loss, violence, or other difficult circumstances
• To punish themselves
• To turn emotional pain into physical pain
• To feel normal and counter feelings of desolation or emotionlessness
• To feel euphoria
• To regain control of their bodies
• To simply feel better

People who self-harm are not trying to end their lives, but they can experience those thoughts. When they self-harm, they are trying to cope with difficult or overwhelming thoughts or feelings.
To learn more about Self Harm within Children’s Homes and Fostering call The Social Care Training Hub on 0161 870 6200 or visit www.thesocialcaretraininghub.co.uk