It's sad that we have to discuss this issue, but just know, identifying someone who may be self-harming is the first step in getting help for them. If this section concerns or worries you in any way, please let your upline know.

What is self-harm?

What is Self Harm?

Self-harm is the intentional damage or injury to a person’s own body. It is used as a way of coping with or expressing overwhelming emotional distress. Self-harm is more than likely to occur in our teenagers and young adults than in our children though there have been noted cases.

Examples of Self-Harm

• Cutting

• Burning

• Overeating or Undereating

• Scratching

• Hair pulling

• Hitting themselves or walls

• Overdosing medication or drugs

• Intentionally putting themselves in risky situations

• Exercising excessively

Why do people self-harm?

Who Self Harms?

A young person will be identified at risk of self­-harm when they meet one or more of the following criteria:

• the young person displays self-­harming behaviour (examples in previous module)

• They  threaten or expresses an intention to self­-harm

• The young person has peers that have recently engaged in self harming behaviour, which may have an influence on their actions

• They are involved in risky or dangerous behaviour or is involved in risk taking behaviour 

(From the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services website)

According to a report from The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, 24.4 per cent of young women and 18.1 per cent of young men aged 20-24 have self-injured in their lifetime. That’s a nearly quarter of young women and one in five young men.

Research also suggests that children who are exposed to other people self-harming may be more likely to begin harming themselves.

Why do Young People Self-Harm?

Many young people describe self-harm as a way of coping with feeling numb, or intense pain, distress or unbearable negative feelings, thoughts or memories. They are trying to change how they feel by replacing their emotional pain or pressure with physical pain.

Self-harming is not in itself a mental illness, nor is it a suicide attempt. It is not attention-seeking behaviour, and in reality, most people keep their self-harm private.

How to respond to self-harm?

Responding to Self-Harm

People who self-harm often find that the immediate relief of harming themselves is quickly replaced by an even greater sense of distress. 

Your role as a volunteer or staff member when you are responding to a disclosure of self-harm should be very short. You are not required to have a counselling session. 

Things you can do for them:

• Make sure they know that you care about them and that you want to help them. 

• Provide a positive response - negative reactions may cause them to refrain from disclosing or talking about self-harm again.

• Remain calm while recognising they might feel ashamed of their actions and worry about your judgements.

• Do not make ultimatums or tell the person to stop it. This could make things worse.

• Encourage them that you are there to help them.

• Be open and make the person feel as safe as possible

• Do not promise confidentiality. Because they are under 18 yrs of age, their disclosure cannot remain confidential.

• Speak to your upline as soon as you can and let them know what has happened.

Citipointe requirements of a disclosure or suspicion of self-harm

As a duty of care to our children and high-schoolers, any disclosure or suspicion of self harm should be reported to your upline. 

If you have a suspicion that a child is self harming and they are not in immediate danger, contact your upline immediately and voice your concern. The Child Protection Officer or Location Pastor will investigate the matter.

After self-harm?

Continuing to self-harm after disclosure

Self-harm doesn’t automatically stop when you confront or acknowledge it. Sometimes it can be even harder for someone to stop after they see that their behaviour causes distress to their family and friends.

Suicidal Feelings

There is an overlap between self harm and thinking about suicide however, not everyone who self-harms is suicidal. 

Suicide is a complex issue and feeling suicidal can be an incredibly frightening and painful experience. A person with suicidal feelings may:

• Believe death is their only option

• Feel worthless and helpless

• Feel that things won’t ever get better

• Have feelings of low self-esteem

• Feel overwhelmed and unable to cope

• Be angry at themselves

• Feel isolated and alone

• Feel that they are not understood by anyone

• Not be sure if they want to live or die.

Providing Support

There are several ways in which you can help someone who is experiencing suicidal thoughts:

• Try not to judge – it is not helpful to tell them that suicide is wrong or to get angry and frustrated at the thought of them throwing their life away. 

• Talk to them – ask them how they feel and listen quietly to their response.

• Tell them you cannot keep this information a secret  - in order to help them, you need to tell someone (that would be the Child Protection Officer or Location Pastor)

Looking after yourself

It is emotionally draining to support someone who is experiencing suicidal feelings.  Make sure you take time to get the emotional support you need.