Self-Harm, Cutting, NSSI

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Self-Harm, Self-injury, Cutting, NSSI

Self-harm is when someone hurts or injures their body on purpose.

It includes things like cutting, burning, scratching or hitting
It can be really dangerous
Self-harming doesn’t always mean that the person wants to end their life
If you are thinking about hurting yourself, it’s important to let someone know so they can help you cope

See Professional and Urgent Help for a list of services with live phone numbers and links

See Pathways to Help - guides you through to help

See Safety plans YourCrew has a digital safety plan that you can share with relevant people.

All links and phone numbers on this page in purple are live.

GENERAL INFO

KidsHelpline: Self-harm 13-17 years
Nemours TeensHealth: Cutting & Self Injury (teens)
Health Direct: Self-harm
Better Health Vic: Self-harm and self-injury
ReachOut: How to help a friend who self-harms
Lifeline toolkit : Self-harm
Mind UK: Self-harm (note: very good info but phone numbers UK based)
Orygen: Self-harm factsheet
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People:
Mental Health First Aid: Guidelines for providing MHFA to Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people engaging in Non-suicidal self-injury

Self Help

Talk to your GP/doctor or contact Your Crew to
help you get to your doctor.

If you feel at immediate risk call 000

Kids Helpline:
1800 551 800

See Professional and Urgent Help for a list of services with live phone numbers and links

See Pathways to Help - guides you through to help
Headspace: find a centre

ReachOut PeerChat – available for webchat Monday to Friday 1 to 8 pm (Sydney time). Book in a chat here.

Find Professional Services

Find a Psychologist
Find a Psychiatrist

Tips for distraction:

Wait at least 15 mins; count to 1000
Focus on other things e.g. deep breaths, take a shower, read a book, eat or drink something, listen to calming music, spend time with your pet, wrap yourself in a warm blanket; watch a film; go for a walk
If feeling numb: hold an ice cube, take a bite of something strong or sour e.g. lemon, chilli, strong peppermint
If you need to release tension: exercise, punch a cushion, squeeze a ball, rip up used paper or a magazine; play an instrument loudly
If thinking about cutting, do this instead: draw on your skin with a red marker where you would normally cut; rub ice cubes where you would normally cut; place rubber bands on your wrists, arms or legs and flick them instead of cutting.
Read or recite a prayer, a quote, a poem that is meaningful to you
Name your feelings: You can do that on YourCrew by checking-in
Write it down:
Write in your private diary on YourCrew
Write a check-in on YourCrew

Useful websites:

From Mind UK (nb: very good information but the phone numbers are UK based and not be useful in Australia)
Mind UK: How can I help myself now?
Mind UK: How can I help myself in the future?

FORUMS, TOOLS & VIDEOS

Forums: (warning: these forums are provided by third-parties and not endorsed or monitored by HRF or YC. Some of the content is )

Mental Health Forum: Self Harm Forum

ReachOut Forum: Parents of teens who self-harm

Videos: (warning: these videos are provided by third-parties. The content discusses self-harm and could be confronting for some viewers)

Project Aware movies by teens: A Better Place - A movie about self-harm

Project Aware movies by teens: About the film "A Better Place" interviews

Project Natural Highs/Project Aware YouTube Channel: projectnaturalhighs

WQED Pittsburgh: Self-harm: Cutting

Crewing for or Helping Others

Sometimes, it can be hard to know what to do to support someone. You may feel stressed or scared you'll say the wrong thing.

Remember your main role as Crew or a supportive friend or family is to listen, acknowledge and communicate support. That can mean calling a professional service such as Kids Helpline or, in an emergency, calling 000 They can also guide you on what to do.

See How to Ask If Your Friend Is OK video

If you are under 18 years old, you can also reach out to an adult or your Crew to help you support someone.

Tips on Crewing for someone

See Professional and Urgent Help for a list of services with live phone numbers and links

See Pathways to Help

Medical News Today (USA - some links not useful in Australia): How to stop yourself or someone else from cutting
Mental Health First Aid (pdf): Non-suicidal self-injury
Mind Uk: What can Friends and Family do to Help?
Raising Children: Self-harm and teenagers

For Parents:
Melbourne Child Psychology: What to do if Your Teenager Self-Harms - Immediate Strategies for Parents
Nemours KidsHealth: Helping Teens Who Self-Harm
ReachOut Parents: Self-Harm and teenagers
New Haven (USA): 6 things your child needs from you to reduce cutting (self-harm) behaviours

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People:
Mental Health First Aid: Guidelines for providing MHFA to Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people engaging in Non-suicidal self-injury

Parents Forum:
ReachOut Forums Parents: Self-harm