Self-Harming and Suicidal Thoughts For many, the notion of suicide is an unfamiliar and even bizarre one. Self-harm is when somebody intentionally damages or injures their body. It is usually a way of coping with, or expressing, overwhelming emotional distress.
SAMARITANS
Call: 116 123 Email: jo@samaritans.org MIND
Call: 0300 123 3393 Text: 86463
Self-harm can be linked to suicidal thought but is often a cry for help, and many people who self-harm do not want to end their lives. Some people state that self-harming helps them cope with their emotional distress.
HARMLESS
Email: info@harmless.org.uk
Self-harm should always be taken seriously however, as it can develop into suicidal thoughts and acts.
YOUNGMINDS PARENTS HELPLINE
Call: 0808 802 5544
There are several reasons for self-harming, such as social problems, trauma, and psychological causes.
PAPYRUS
Call: 0800 068 4141 Text: 07786 209697 Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org
If you are concerned about a student who is self-harming, they should be flagged with Living Support.
FIRST LIGHT
If a student discloses that they are having suicidal thoughts, or you believe that they might be, it is okay to talk about it. Research shows that discussing suicide with someone who is feeling suicidal does not increase the risk of them committing suicide.
Call: 0300 777 4 777 Email: saferfutures@firstlight.org.uk SAFER CORNWALL
Call: 0300 1234 232 Web: safercornwall.co.uk
You do not need to have the answers to the questions that might come from starting a discussion like this; often a listening ear is more than enough.
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