Self-harm is when someone hurts or injures their body on purpose.
-
It includes things like cutting, burning, scratching or hitting
-
It can be really dangerous
-
Self-harming doesn’t always mean that the person wants to end their life
-
If you are thinking about hurting yourself, it’s important to let someone know so they can help you cope
Source: Kids Helpline
See Professional and Urgent Help for a list of services with live phone numbers and links
See Pathways to Help - guides you through to help
See Safety plans YourCrew has a digital safety plan that you can share with relevant people.
Links and phone numbers throughout this site are live; tap to access.
Factsheets:
Alternatives to Hurting Your-Self
5 steps for Embarrassment or Humiliation
How to calm anger
4 ways to manage anger
Handling Stress
5-4-3-2-1 for calming anxiety
Coping with a breakup
Coping with change
Domestic Abuse Facts
Reporting social media misconduct
Changing Schools
Mindfulness Activities
GENERAL INFO
KidsHelpline: Self-harm 13-17 years
Nemours TeensHealth: Cutting & Self Injury (teens)
Health Direct: Self-harm
Better Health Vic: Self-harm and self-injury
ReachOut:
Lifeline toolkit : Self-harm
Mind UK: (Note: very good information, but the phone numbers are UK-based and cannot be called from Australia)
- Tips for coping with self-harm – for 11-18 year olds
- How can I help myself now?
- How can I help myself in the future?
Orygen: Self-harm factsheet
Self Help
Talk to your GP/doctor or contact Your Crew to
help you get to your doctor.
If you feel at immediate risk call 000
Or
Kids Helpline:
1800 551 800
See Professional and Urgent Help for a list of services with live phone numbers and links
See Pathways to Help - guides you through to help
Headspace: find a centre
ReachOut PeerChat – available for webchat Monday to Friday 1 to 8 pm (Sydney time). Book in a chat here.
ReachOut:
NSSI: Alternatives to non-suicidal self-injury
Life Line: self-harm
Find Professional Services:
Tips for distraction:
-
Wait at least 15 mins; count to 1000
-
Focus on other things, e.g. deep breaths, take a shower, read a book, eat or drink something, listen to calming music, spend time with your pet, wrap yourself in a warm blanket, watch a film, or go for a walk
-
If feeling numb: hold an ice cube, take a bite of something strong or sour, e.g. lemon, chilli, strong peppermint
-
If you need to release tension: exercise, punch a cushion, squeeze a ball, rip up used paper or a magazine, play an instrument loudly
-
If you're thinking about cutting, do this instead: draw on your skin with a red marker where you would normally cut; rub ice cubes where you would normally cut; place rubber bands on your wrists, arms, or legs, and flick them instead of cutting.
-
Read or recite a prayer, a quote, or a poem that is meaningful to you
-
Name your feelings: You can do that on YourCrew by checking-in
-
Write it down:
Write in your private diary on YourCrew
Do a 'long' check-in on YourCrew
Other useful websites:
Mind UK: (Note: This website has very good information, but the phone numbers are UK-based and cannot be called from Australia)
FORUMS, TOOLS & VIDEOS
Forums: (warning: these forums are provided by third parties and not endorsed or monitored by HRF or YC. Some of the content is )
Mental Health Forum: Self-Harm Forum
Videos: (warning: these videos are provided by third parties. The content discusses self-harm and could be confronting for some viewers)
Project Aware movies by teens: A Better Place - A movie about self-harm
Project Aware movies by teens: About the film "A Better Place" interviews
Project Natural Highs/Project Aware YouTube Channel: projectnaturalhighs
WQED Pittsburgh: Self-harm: Cutting
Crewing for or Helping Others
Sometimes, it can be hard to know what to do to support someone. You may feel stressed or scared you'll say the wrong thing.
Remember your main role as Crew or a supportive friend or family is to listen, acknowledge and communicate support. That can mean calling a professional service such as Kids Helpline or, in an emergency, calling 000 They can also guide you on what to do.
See How to Ask If Your Friend Is OK video
If you are under 18 years old, you can also reach out to an adult or your Crew to help you support someone.
See Professional and Urgent Help for a list of services with live phone numbers and links
See Pathways to Help
Psychology Today: Why has Self-injury become so popular
Reach Out:
Raising Children: Self-harm and teenagers
Web MD: Teens, cutting, and Self-injury
Mind UK: (Note: This website has very good information, but the phone numbers are UK-based and cannot be called from Australia)
What can Friends and Family do to Help?
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People:
Orygen: Supporting young Aboriginal people who self-harm A GUIDE FOR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES
For Parents:
Melbourne Child Psychology: What to do if Your Teenager Self-Harms - Immediate Strategies for Parents
Nemours KidsHealth: Helping Teens Who Self-Harm
ReachOut Parents: Self-Harm and teenagers
New Haven (USA): 6 things your child needs from you to reduce cutting (self-harm) behaviours
Forum:
ReachOut Forum: Parents of teens who self-harm
