Mental health awareness week is 18-24th May this year and the theme is Kindness. This week Futureworks will be raising awareness of Mental Health.
Today's post will be focusing on self harm and suicide, recognising the signs and risk factors of self-harm and suicide, and knowing how to approach someone who is self-harming or you think may be suicidal and what to do in a crisis.
These posts are to raise awareness about mental health and for you to gain an understanding of what you or others may be going through.
If you have any questions about these posts or would like to talk to somebody about your own mental health please contact: support@futureworks.ac.uk
Self-harm is when you hurt yourself as a way of dealing with very difficult feelings, painful memories or overwhelming situations and experiences. Some people have described self-harm as a way to:
- express something that is hard to put into words
- turn invisible thoughts or feelings into something visible
- release of feelings
- change emotional pain into physical pain
- reduce overwhelming emotional feelings or thoughts
- have a sense of being in control
- escape traumatic memories
- have something in life that they can rely on
- punish themselves for their feelings and experiences
- create a reason to physically care for themselves
- express suicidal feelings and thoughts without taking their own life.
After self-harming you may feel a short-term sense of release, but the cause of your distress is unlikely to have gone away. Self-harm can also bring up very difficult emotions and could make you feel worse. It is a very common behaviour in young people and affects around one in 12 people with 10% of 15-16 year olds self-harming.
People self-harm in different ways such as the following:
- Cutting
- Burning
- Scalding with hot water
- Banging or scratching your body
- Sticking sharp objects into your body
- Eating or drinking things that are poisonous
- Not letting wounds heal
- Take too many tablets, known as an ‘overdose’
- Misusing prescribed or illegal drugs or alcohol
- Over exercising
- Starving yourself
- You are more likely to self-harm if you take illegal drugs or drink too much alcohol.
Self-harm includes many harmful behaviours such as self-injury, but includes such diverse matters as eating disorders, risk taking behaviour, drug and alcohol misuse.
What to do about Self-Harm
Take the first step – if you think you are affected by self-harm talk to someone, a parent or relative you trust, perhaps a teacher or youth worker. If you don’t think you can confide in anyone, talk to your GP.
Why talk to your GP - Self-harm can be a sign of other disorders that you need help with such as depression or anxiety and they can refer you to the right people for treatment. You may also be referred to child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) so you can have an assessment for the right treatment for you.
Things can change
Russell Brand talks about his self-harm
Self harm stories
How to help yourself and others
- Guidance for others
- How to react when your friend says they self-harm
- Factsheet for lecturers
- Factsheet for people who self-injure
- Factsheet for friends and family
- Advice for young people
- Advice for friends and family
- First aid for self-harm
- Coping strategies
- Getting help
While cutting and self-harming occurs most frequently in adolescents and young adults, it can happen at any age. Because clothing can hide physical injuries, and inner turmoil can be covered up by a seemingly calm disposition, self-injury in a friend or family member can be hard to detect. In any situation, you don’t have to be sure that you know what’s going on in order to reach out to someone you’re worried about. However, there are red flags you can look for:
- Unexplained wounds or scars from cuts, bruises, or burns, usually on the wrists, arms, thighs, or chest
- Blood stains on clothing, towels, or bedding; blood-soaked tissues.
- Sharp objects or cutting instruments, such as razors, knives, needles, glass shards, or bottle caps, in the person’s belongings.
- Frequent “accidents.” Someone who self-harms may claim to be clumsy or have many mishaps, in order to explain away injuries.
- Covering up. A person who self-injures may insist on wearing long sleeves or long pants, even in hot weather.
- Needing to be alone for long periods of time, especially in the bedroom or bathroom.
- Isolation and irritability. Your loved one is experiencing a great deal of inner pain—as well as guilt at how they’re trying to cope with it. This can cause them to withdraw and isolate themselves.
How do I know if someone is suicidal?
Calm harm app - Is there a link between self-harm and suicide? Getting help and treatment
People with a diagnosed mental health problem have been found to be at a higher risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviour. Self-harm behaviour has also been found to be a risk factor. While many people who engage in self-harming behaviour do not wish to die, there is research to suggest that individuals who self-harm are at an increased risk of attempting or completing suicide
If you would like professional help to manage and recover from self-harm you should make an appointment to speak to your GP. Be honest about why you self-harm. People self-harm for different reasons. This will help professionals to find the right support for you.
Suicide
- Every year, around 800 000 people die by suicide globally. In the UK in 2018, there were 6,507 deaths by suicide (a rate of 11.2 deaths per 100,000 people)
- Suicide is the single biggest killer of men under 45 in the UK and the cause of 18 deaths every day.
If you're feeling like you want to die, it's important to tell someone. Help and support is available right now if you need it. You do not have to struggle with difficult feelings alone.
Talk to someone you trust. Let family or friends know what's going on for you. They may be able to offer support and help keep you safe.
There's no right or wrong way to talk about suicidal feelings – starting the conversation is what's important.
Who else can you talk to? If you find it difficult to talk to someone you know, you could:
- call a GP – ask for an emergency appointment
- call 111 out of hours – they will help you find the support and help you need
- contact your mental health crisis team – if you have one
- student welfare officer - support@futureworks.ac.uk
Signs that someone may not be ok
Many people struggle to cope at one point or another of their lives. Reaching out to someone could help them know that someone cares, that they are valued, and help them access the support they need.
Everyone copes and reacts in their own way, but here are some general signs to look out for. For some people, several of these signs might apply - for others just one or two, or none. Signs to look out for:
- Feeling restless and agitated
- Feeling angry and aggressive
- Feeling tearful
- Being tired or lacking in energy
- Not wanting to talk to or be with people
- Not wanting to do things they usually enjoy
- Using alcohol or drugs to cope with feelings
- Finding it hard to cope with everyday things
- Not replying to messages or being distant
- Talking about feeling hopeless, helpless or worthless
- Talking about feeling trapped by life circumstances they can’t see a way out of, or feeling unable to escape their thoughts
- A change in routine, such as sleeping or eating more or less than normal
- Engaging in risk-taking behaviour, like gambling or violence
You might not always be able to spot these signs, especially as people start to physically self-isolate because of coronavirus. These emotions may be more difficult to spot if you're seeing less of the people you're close to.
It can also be useful to identify circumstances that can trigger suicidal thoughts or make it hard for someone to cope.
Situations to look out for:
- loss, including loss of a friend or a family member through bereavement
- suicide or attempted suicide of family member, friend or public figure
- relationship and family problems
- housing problems
- financial worries
- job-related stress
- college or study-related pressures
- bullying, abuse or neglect
- loneliness and isolation
- challenging current events
- depression
- painful and/or disabling physical illness
- heavy use of or dependency on alcohol or other drugs
Again, these may not apply to everyone who is struggling, but they can be useful to look out for.
What to do if you think it's an emergency
Starting a conversation about suicide
Are you thinking about suicide? - click on these links for support and information
Why do I feel suicidal?
I'm feeling suicidal
Where can I get help
Be kind and ask someone if they are ok!
Drop a friend or family member a message or give someone a call who you haven't spoken to in a while and see how they're doing! The call might save their life.
Apps:
Stay Alive: Health and fitness App - free
The Stay Alive app is a suicide prevention resource for the UK. It has useful information and tools to help you stay safe in crisis. You can use it if you are having thoughts of suicide. Orif you are concerned about someone else who may be considering suicide.
Website: www.preventsuicide.org.uk/stay_alive_suicide_prevention_mobile_phone_application.html
Headspace
Headspace is designed to help you to manage your mental health. You can access the app for free, you will have access to basic packages. You will have to pay a subscription to access more content.
E-mail: help@headspace.com
Website: www.headspace.com
Smiling Mind
Free meditation app.
Website: www.smilingmind.com.au
Who to Contact?
If you have seriously harmed yourself, or you don’t feel that you can keep yourself safe right now seek immediate help by calling 999, or going straight to A&E.
- Youth Access - Advice & Counselling
- Mindline Trans+ 0300 330 5468 Free, confidential listening service for people identifying as trans or non-binary, and their friends and families.
- Young Minds Crisis Messenger provides free 24/7 crisis support. Text YM to 85258
- Samaritans - Call free on 116 123 (24 hours a day)
- Childline - If you are under 19 you can confidentially call, email or talk online about any problem you may be having
Helpline: 0800 1111 - The Mix - If you are under 25 you can contact them free via phone, online chat or email
Helpline: 0808 808 4994 (1pm-11pm daily) - 42nd Street - 0161 228 732. They provide online support and they also do referrals. On their website, it states “if you are struggling with your mental health and would like to speak with a mental health practitioner call us Monday – Friday 9.30-5 and ask to speak to a duty practitioner on 0161 228 7321.
- CALM - (Campaign Against Living Miserably) 0800 58 58 58 (5pm-midnight 365 days a year) or online webchat
- Shout - Text SHOUT to 85258 (24 hour text service)
- SANE emotional support, guidance and information to anyone affected by mental illness, including families, friends and carers.
0300 304 7000 (Helpline open 4.30pm-10.30pm). - Depression UK
In crisis? Call 999 if you are in serious distress or in danger of harming yourself or others. Alternatively:
- Go to A&E at your local hospital. The nearest to Futureworks is Manchester Royal Infirmary (0161 276 4147)
- Call 999 if you are in a life threatening situation or you are worried about someone taking their own life
- Contact your GP / 111
- Call Samaritans 116 123 (free to call, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year)
- See below for other contact details that maybe beneficial for you, family or friends.
24/7 mental health helpline for Greater Manchester: 01204 4830
New 24/7 mental health for carers and service users who are currently engaged with the GMMH service - Greater Manchester: 01204 483 071
New 24/7 mental health crisis line for people of all ages in Halton, Knowsley, St Helens & Warrington: 01925 275 309
New 24/7 crisis line for people of all ages in Wigan: 01942 636 395
What other services are local to me?