Self-harm can take lots of physical forms, including cutting, burning, bruising, scratching, hair-pulling, poisoning and overdosing.

Self-harm it’s often a way for young people to release overwhelming emotions. It’s a way of coping as the physical pain of self-harm might feel easier to deal with than the emotional pain or difficulties that the young person is experiencing.  It should be taken seriously and support given to explore and resolve the cause of the self harm. 

When a young person is self-harming it can be overwhelming for parents/ carers as people often do not know what to do. The following can be a helpful source of information for parents/carers:

• The YoungMinds website has information for parents/carers on self harm and advice on how to respond: https://youngminds.org.uk/find-help/for-parents/parents-guide-to-support-a-z/parents-guide-to-support-self-harm/ 
• The NSPCC website provides information on the self harm cycle and how to support young people:  https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/self-harm/
• The leaflet included below has options for distractions or alternatives to self harm which can help reduce severity or frequency of self harm. 
• Speak to your GP or contact your child's PCS teacher for support. 

self-harm distractions and alternatives final

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