Self Harm

Talking about self harm - This information has been taken from 'A mini-guide to support anyone affected by self harm in West Sussex'.


It can be a very lonely place to be in when you’re self harming, but it is more common than you may realise.

A lot of people think self harm is either cutting and/or overdosing but a lot of things done in excess could be seen as self harm. Examples of these are: getting drunk, doing drugs, smoking, getting into fights and getting tattoos or piercings. There are also less obvious things such as rubbing skin, digging your nails into yourself or pinching yourself.

If you’re concerned that any of the above applies to you, a friend or family member, please don’t panic! Self harm can be a strategy people use to cope with what’s going on in their life. Self harm is especially common in young people which may be as a result of so much change going on physically / hormonally as well as all other changes young people are having to face.

When young people self harm it is usually a sign that they are having a tough time and need support. There are lots of services that can help (see the Local Support Services section of the leaflet or at the bottom of the page) Services won't force you to stop, but they will encourage and support you.

Tips for friends and family:

  • Rather than trying to come up with a solution, it’s more likely that they’ll want you to listen and support them by letting them know it's okay to feel what they're feeling. Find more tips in the Communicating section of the leaflet.
  • Focus on what’s causing them to self harm rather than the self harm in itself, unless immediate medical attention is required: How are they feeling? What’s going on for them at the moment? Have there been any major changes in their life recently?
  • Trying to force someone to stop self harming can make them feel worse, as it can increase the emotions they’re already trying to cope with and reduce their feeling of control.
  • If they do want to stop self harming, we've included some suggestions in the Ideas to Help section of the leaflet.

    Services that can help

    You don't have to go through anything on your own. There might be someone you feel you can talk to at home or where you study. Below are other places where someone will listen. You can take a friend or family member with you to any of these places.
    Dialogue Counselling Free counselling for 13-25 year olds in Bognor Regis, Burgess Hill, Chichester, Crawley, Horsham, Lancing, Littlehampton, Shoreham-by-Sea and Worthing. Call or text 07739 893707 [email protected]
    Your Space / FindItOut Centres Advice and info for 13-25 year olds: yourspacewestsussex.co.uk Add /finditout for FindItOut Centres, where you can talk to someone about apprenticeships, jobs, counselling, housing, sexual health, families and relationships, substance misuse etc.
    Allsorts Supports and empowers young people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans* or unsure of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. allsortsyouth.org.uk
    BMEYPP (based in Brighton) is the Black and Minority Ethnic Young People's Project. bmeypp.org.uk
    Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) Chichester – 01243 813405 Worthing – 01903 286754 Horsham – 01403 223344
    MIND mental health charity coastalwestsussexmind.org
    Talk to your doctor! Before you go, visit docready.org to prepare your checklist and watch howcanifilm.com to learn your rights. If your doctor's surgery is closed, you can get medical advice by calling 111.
    CRI Substance Misuse Outreach support for 10-17 years olds 0300 303 8677 Option 1 01903 230600 or cri.org.uk
    West Sussex Young Carers [email protected] westsussex.gov.uk/youngcarers
    Worth Domestic Violence Advisors 0330 222 8181 or 07834 968539 worthservices.org
    Saturn Centre supports anyone over 14 who has been sexually assaulted. 01293 600649 or saturncentre.org

    Download leaflet here.