self harm / self neglect

Advice and support with self harm / self neglect

Self-Harm (Injury) or Self-Neglect are two very similar ways of causing injury to yourself and often occur as a way of dealing with very difficult feelings, painful memories or overwhelming situations and experiences.

What is self harm / self neglect?

I am worried and need support

I am concerned about someone else

What is self harm / self neglect?

What is self harm?

Self-harm is when somebody intentionally damages or injures their body. Ways in which people self-harm can happen in many forms including: cutting / hitting yourself, misusing alcohol, prescription and recreational drugs, over eating or under eating, biting, picking, scratching or burning their skin or inserting sharp / harmful objects into their body.

What is self neglect?

Self-Neglect is a lack of ‘self-care’ to an extent that it threatens personal health and safety, in other words it is “failing to provide one’s own essential needs”. It results in a mind-set of ‘giving up’ and an inability to avoid harm. This can include getting into fights where you know you will get hurt, knowingly refusing to seek help or access services to meet health and social care needs. Self-Neglect also includes lack of care for personal hygiene, health (Dehydration, malnutrition, untreated medical conditions) or living conditions (Unsafe living conditions – no plumbing, no heat or running water, animal/insect infestation).

Recognising the signs

Both Self-Harm and Self-Neglect can be a result of someone trying to express or cope with emotional distress, it can be seen as a way of being in control or punishing themselves. It can sometimes be hard to recognise when someone has started to self-harm, as it is often kept secret, here are a few signs to look out for:

Physical Signs:

keeping themselves fully covered at all times, even in hot weather
Unexplained cuts, bruises or burns, usually on the wrists, arms, thighs and chest
unexplained blood stains on clothing or tissues
signs that they have been pulling out their hair
Not eating or overeating

Emotional signs:

becoming very withdrawn and not speaking to others
signs of depression, such as low mood, tearfulness or a lack of motivation or interest in anything
signs of low self-esteem, such as thinking they’re not good enough
talking about ending things or not wanting to go on

I want support from a local organisation

I want to download a support app

I want support from a national organisation

I am worried and need support

What can I do to help myself?

It can be difficult to know how to talk to your friends, family or a health professional about self-harm / neglect. But many people feel more supported and less alone after talking to someone.

Support tips

Find someone you can trust – such as a close friend, family member, trained volunteer, health or other professionals, it may feel easier to write something down, talk online or call and practise what you want to say first
Talk honestly and openly – be clear about how you’re feeling, why you’re asking for help and things they may be able to do
Let the other person ask questions – but do not feel you have to answer them all right away
Decide if you want to show the other person any injuries or scars – if you’re talking to a health professional they may want to check if you need treatment

I want support from a local organisation

I want to download a support app

I want support from a national organisation

I am concerned about someone else

I’m concerned about someone else

If you think someone you know has started to self-harm, it’s important to approach the subject with care and understanding.

Sometimes it can be helpful to just be there for that person and let them know they are not alone however it is important to remember you may not be able to help them on your own.

Tips for family members and friends

There are some things you can try that may help someone feel more supported and able to get help:

ask how they would like to be supported
try to understand their emotions and experiences, without judging them, rather than focusing on their self-harm
consider that any amount of self-harm might be a sign that they’re feeling extremely distressed
let them be in control of their decisions, but get them medical attention if needed
do not try to force them to change what they’re doing
do not threaten to take away their control
Encourage them to speak to a GP or professional service about self-harm

I want support from a local organisation

I want to download a support app

I want support from a national organisation

Self harm and suicide

There is evidence of a clear link between suicide or suicidal thoughts and people who have previously self-harmed.

However, not everyone who self-harms wants to end their life. Some people describe their self-harm as a way of staying alive by responding to or coping with severe emotional distress.

I want support from a local organisation

I want to download a support app

I want support from a national organisation

Local advice and support in Rotherham

Mind Rotherham

Mind is an independent local which offer a variety of services including one-to-one counselling, group sessions, support for young people, training and services for employers.

Tel: 01709 919929

Email: contactus@rbmind.co.uk

Go to website

RDaSH Crisis Team

0800 652 9571 (calls to this number are Free)

If you or someone you know has concerns about their immediate health RDaSH Crisis Team can help. One of our trained call handlers will signpost you to the most appropriate service depending on your level of need. This may include your out of hours GP, a voluntary organisation or our access/crisis team.

Hard of hearing? Deaf? For anyone unable to use the standard telephone line, i.e. hard of hearing, there is a text phone service available.
Please text 07974 603610

Go to website

Improving Access to Psychological Therapies service

01709 447755

Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm
Local venues (dependent on Coronavirus restrictions)
Interpreting service available

Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH) provides an Improving Access to Psychological Therapies Service. The service, provided by local therapists, is for Rotherham residents who require support with:

The service offers:

Patient consultation in a way to suit every patient’s needs by:
- Telephone
- Video
- Face-to-face contact (dependent on Coronavirus restrictions)
Group therapy
Stress classes

Treatments include:

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
Guided self-help with Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners
Counselling
Couples therapy for depression
Online CBT with Minddistrict
Online Be Mindful course
EMDR
Interpersonal therapy

Go to website

National support organisations

Harmless

Go to website

Samaritans

Call 116 123 for free
jo@samaritans.org

Go to website

Self injury support - Women’s and Girls Support Service

Helpline: 0808 800 8088
tessmail@selfinjurysupport.org.uk

Text support – Text – 07537 432444

Web Chat facility

Go to website

Support apps

With Rotherham Health app you can assess your symptoms, book and manage your appointments, view your medical record and test results, manage your medication and much more, 24/7.

Rotherhive is not responsible for content on websites or apps mentioned on the site. Always read the app’s Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy to see how your data may be used.

Alcohol Bereavement Carers Covid-19 mental health Debt Dementia Depression, anxiety, stress Domestic abuse Drugs Eating disorders Gambling Homelessness Mental health Perinatal Self-harm / self-neglect Suicide prevention Sleep

RotherHive is developed by NHS Rotherham CCG