Self Harm Awareness Campaign 2014
What is Self Harm?
It is an expression of personal distress usually made in private by an individual who hurts
him/herself .The nature and meaning of self-harm may vary greatly from person to person.
The reason a person harm themselves may be different on each occasions should not be
presumed to be the same. (National collaborating centre for mental health)
People who self harm often don’t understand what causes them to behave in that way and it
can be difficult for friends and families to know how to support the person they care about.
Self harm is not about attention seeking or manipulative behaviour. It is important not to
judge the person or focus directly on the self harm, but on the pain and emotional distress
that the individual is experiencing.
There is help available in the form of counselling and talking therapies to explore what the
feelings and problems are behind the behaviour. To access these services, people should
speak to their GP. There are also safer things people can do to relieve emotional distress and
offer distraction when they feel like hurting themselves.
It is important for people to have access to clear, reliable information.
NICE Quality Standard
The National Institute of Clinical Excellence has issued quality standard - on self-harm to
improve the management and support of people who self-harm.
In summary:

People who have self-harmed should be treated with the same compassion, dignity
and respect as everyone else using healthcare services. Judgemental or negative staff
attitudes towards those who have self-harmed can contribute to poor experiences of
care, and may also lead to further self-harm.

People who have self-harmed should have an initial assessment of physical health,
mental state, social circumstances and risks of repetition or suicide. This can identify if
a person is at immediate physical risk, so that steps can be taken to reduce this risk,
including referral for more urgent care if needed.

A comprehensive psychological assessment should be carried out each time a person
presents with an episode of self-harm. This is aimed at identifying why it has
happened. The assessment can also start a therapeutic relationship with the
healthcare professional and be used to develop an effective management plan.

A risk-management plan can help people who have self-harmed reduce their risk of
self-harming again. This should be developed in collaboration with the person who has
self-harmed, who should have joint ownership of the plan. It should include what can
be done if they are at risk of self-harming again and who to contact in a crisis
Useful helplines
Samaritans:
Child line:
Mental Health Matters:
08457909090
0800 1111
0800 107 0160 (over 18)
Useful websites for self-help Information /training resources
www.nshn.co.uk The National Self Harm Network
www.Samaritans.org
www.Youthhealthtalk.org
www.Harmless.org
www.youngminds.org.uk
Information about local services in Medway
www.liveitwell.org.uk
Single point of Access for CAMHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service 01634 337368
Single point of Access for CMHT Adult Mental Health Team 01634 583020
Talking therapy services (for Adults)
KCA Psychological therapy 01634 406087
Insight Healthcare 0300 555 5555
KMPT Primary Care psychological therapy services 01634 841524
Emotional support to children
“Onside” 1:1 support children in schools Contact Lisa Osenton 01634 338815
Medway Educational, Child and Community Psychology Service offer free psychological
services to all maintained schools and Academies in Medway. Schools are allocated a core
amount of time according to need. Unlimited additional time can be purchased by schools
and other organisations.
Educational and Child Psychologists offer a variety of psychological support to children and
young people in Medway, aimed at supporting emotional and psychological well-being. The
service provides training to a variety of providers and has developed multi-agency training
packages for schools on self-harm.
For further information, contact Medway Educational, Child and Community Psychology
Service on 01634 335647 / 334138 or email education.psychology@medway.gov.uk
Books on Prescription Self help books from all Libraries in Kent & Medway
Information sharing sessions /lectures on self harm are planned during the first week of
March .Please see attached flyer for further information or contact
Rathini.mills@medway.gov.uk or 01634 332644