Self-Harm

Self‑harm refers to intentionally hurting one’s own body as a way to cope with overwhelming emotional pain or distress. It’s not a sign of weakness but a signal that someone is struggling deeply and trying to find relief in the only way they can see in that moment. 

Reaching out to a trusted person or professional can create real space for support, understanding, safety and healthier ways to manage what they’re feeling.

Websites / Helplines

• Headspace (Australia) — Self‑Harm & Tough Times

Headspace is Australia’s national youth mental‑health organisation. Their self‑harm resources are written specifically for young people and explain:

1. why self‑harm happens

2. how to cope with urges

3. how to talk to someone you trust

4. how to get professional support

It’s one of the safest, clearest places to start if you want reliable information.

• ReachOut Australia — Self‑Harm Support & Coping Tools

ReachOut provides practical, youth‑friendly guides on:

1. understanding self‑harm

2. managing overwhelming feelings

3. building safer coping strategies

4. supporting a friend who self‑harms

• SANE Australia — Self‑Harm Information & Support

SANE offers evidence‑based information for adults and young people, including:

1. why self‑harm occurs

2. how to reduce harm

3. how to seek help

4. stories from people with lived experience

Additional trusted Australian support services:

• Kids Helpline

• Lifeline Australia

TED Talks

• “We Need to Talk About Shame” — Brené Brown (TED)

While not exclusively about self‑harm, this is one of the most influential talks on the emotional states that often sit underneath it: shame, secrecy, and self‑criticism.

Brown explains how shame fuels harmful coping behaviours and how vulnerability and connection help people heal.

• “How to Practice Emotional First Aid” — Guy Winch (TED)

Winch talks about emotional injuries — loneliness, rejection, rumination, self‑criticism — and how ignoring them can lead to more serious harm. He offers practical, compassionate strategies for caring for yourself the way you’d care for a physical wound. It teaches healthier coping tools that directly reduce the urge to self‑harm.

• “The Power of Vulnerability” — Brené Brown (TEDxHouston)

This is one of the most viewed TEDx talks ever. Brown explores how people cope with overwhelming feelings, why we numb ourselves, and how self‑compassion builds resilience.

Podcasts

• The Self Harm Recovery Podcast

It’s calm, validating, and very focused on hope.

• The Trauma Tapes

The hosts are trauma‑informed and avoid sensationalism.

• The Mental Illness Happy Hour

It’s honest but moderated, and the host is careful to keep discussions safe and grounded in healing.

•  Butterfly: Let’s Talk
  Produced by Butterfly Foundation, this podcast discusses emotional regulation, self-worth, body image, self-harm, and mental health recovery with clinicians and people with lived experience. It is especially helpful for young people and those struggling with coping behaviours linked to distress.
   

• Headspace Podcast & Youth Mental Health Resources
  headspace provides podcast episodes and audio resources focused on emotional wellbeing, distress tolerance, coping skills, and support for young people experiencing self-harm thoughts or behaviours. Their content is specifically designed for adolescents and young adults.

Apps

• Smiling Mind (Australia)

A completely free, non‑profit mindfulness and mental‑health app created by Australian psychologists.

• MindShift CBT

Created by Anxiety Canada, this app uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) — one of the most effective treatments for anxiety.