New self-harm online support centre launched
A new, unique, online resource for young people affected by self-harm is launched today (Monday 26th January) in response to increasing rates of self-harm in the UK, as identified in the report of the National Inquiry into self-harm among young people Truth Hurts.
A new, unique, online resource for young people affected by self-harm is launched today (Monday 26th January) in response to increasing rates of self-harm in the UK, as identified in the report of the National Inquiry into self-harm among young people 'Truth Hurts'.
The Inquiry found that one in 15 young people in the UK had self-harmed, and identified a need for 'much better web-based information on self-harm. In response, youth mental health charity 42nd Street, youth homelessness charity Depaul UK and online communications charity YouthNet, have worked with a group of young people affected by self-harm to create a 'place' online where other young people (aged 16-25) can access high quality information, resources and support on the issue.
The new resource is hosted on YouthNet's guide to life for 16 to 24-year-olds, TheSite.org (at www.TheSite.org/selfharm) and provides detailed information on the subject through podcasts, video, written articles, real-life stories and case studies. Young people can also support, and gain support from, other young people through specialist discussion boards moderated by the charities. Professional advice is available via a confidential question and answer service and a series of live chats.
The new resource, shaped by young people affected by self-harm through focus and advisory group work, covers topics including alternative coping techniques; the reasons why people self-harm; patient confidentiality (and the confusion around it); and what to expect from health services.
Usually, young people who self-harm do so as a way of coping with complex and difficult situations which can range from mental health problems to bereavement, bullying or abuse. The new self-harm resource is positioned within TheSite.org's Health & Wellbeing section to allow young people to easily and quickly access information and advice, to help them deal with some of the issues that might be causing their self-harming behaviour.
Fiona Dawe, Chief Executive of YouthNet, says: "Never before has there been such a comprehensive offering of self-harm advice and information, combined with peer-to-peer support, available online.
"By working directly with young people affected by the issue, we have been able to create fantastic visual, audio and written content which is relevant, interesting, and inclusive - allowing us to get help to young people how they want it, when they need it."
The self-harm resource has been created by 42nd Street, Depaul UK and YouthNet, in response to the National Inquiry into self-harm among young people by the Camelot Foundation and the Mental Health Foundation. The report set out a series of recommendations to improve young people's mental and emotional wellbeing.
Vera Martins, Director of 42nd Street says: "Self harm is often misunderstood and frequently caricatured as attention-seeking on the part of those young people who do it. But for many young people self harm is a response to - even a way of managing - deep seated emotional distress and pain.
"This is a growing problem which families, professionals, and policy makers need to find better ways of understanding and responding to. The new online resource is designed to help in a very direct way by equipping young people with information and support that can help them make sense of their self-harm, empower them to find the help they need and hopefully start down a path towards recovery."
Paul Marriott, Chief Executive of Depaul UK says: "Depaul UK is pleased to be part of this new initiative, as it helps reach out to a wide range of young people in the UK, many of whom use self-harm to cope. Through our everyday work with homeless and disadvantaged young people, we recognise that this is an issue that they need help and support with. We are committed to helping young people tackle these issues and believe that this new site will be an invaluable resource for them."
In December 2008 further proof that support is needed for young people who self-harm was published in the 'Understanding self-harm' report by mental health charity SANE. The research, with almost 1,000 people affected by self-harm, investigated the motives, functions and frequency of self-harm as well as disclosure and stopping.
The Inquiry found that one in 15 young people in the UK had self-harmed, and identified a need for 'much better web-based information on self-harm. In response, youth mental health charity 42nd Street, youth homelessness charity Depaul UK and online communications charity YouthNet, have worked with a group of young people affected by self-harm to create a 'place' online where other young people (aged 16-25) can access high quality information, resources and support on the issue.
The new resource is hosted on YouthNet's guide to life for 16 to 24-year-olds, TheSite.org (at www.TheSite.org/selfharm) and provides detailed information on the subject through podcasts, video, written articles, real-life stories and case studies. Young people can also support, and gain support from, other young people through specialist discussion boards moderated by the charities. Professional advice is available via a confidential question and answer service and a series of live chats.
The new resource, shaped by young people affected by self-harm through focus and advisory group work, covers topics including alternative coping techniques; the reasons why people self-harm; patient confidentiality (and the confusion around it); and what to expect from health services.
Usually, young people who self-harm do so as a way of coping with complex and difficult situations which can range from mental health problems to bereavement, bullying or abuse. The new self-harm resource is positioned within TheSite.org's Health & Wellbeing section to allow young people to easily and quickly access information and advice, to help them deal with some of the issues that might be causing their self-harming behaviour.
Fiona Dawe, Chief Executive of YouthNet, says: "Never before has there been such a comprehensive offering of self-harm advice and information, combined with peer-to-peer support, available online.
"By working directly with young people affected by the issue, we have been able to create fantastic visual, audio and written content which is relevant, interesting, and inclusive - allowing us to get help to young people how they want it, when they need it."
The self-harm resource has been created by 42nd Street, Depaul UK and YouthNet, in response to the National Inquiry into self-harm among young people by the Camelot Foundation and the Mental Health Foundation. The report set out a series of recommendations to improve young people's mental and emotional wellbeing.
Vera Martins, Director of 42nd Street says: "Self harm is often misunderstood and frequently caricatured as attention-seeking on the part of those young people who do it. But for many young people self harm is a response to - even a way of managing - deep seated emotional distress and pain.
"This is a growing problem which families, professionals, and policy makers need to find better ways of understanding and responding to. The new online resource is designed to help in a very direct way by equipping young people with information and support that can help them make sense of their self-harm, empower them to find the help they need and hopefully start down a path towards recovery."
Paul Marriott, Chief Executive of Depaul UK says: "Depaul UK is pleased to be part of this new initiative, as it helps reach out to a wide range of young people in the UK, many of whom use self-harm to cope. Through our everyday work with homeless and disadvantaged young people, we recognise that this is an issue that they need help and support with. We are committed to helping young people tackle these issues and believe that this new site will be an invaluable resource for them."
In December 2008 further proof that support is needed for young people who self-harm was published in the 'Understanding self-harm' report by mental health charity SANE. The research, with almost 1,000 people affected by self-harm, investigated the motives, functions and frequency of self-harm as well as disclosure and stopping.