Self-Harming and Suicidal Thoughts

SAMARITANS Call: 116 123 Email: jo@samaritans.org

MIND Call: 0300 123 3393 Text: 86463

HARMLESS Email: info@harmless.org.uk

YOUNGMINDS PARENTS HELPLINE Call: 0808 802 5544

PAPYRUS Call: 0800 068 4141 Text: 07786 209697 Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org

FIRST LIGHT Call: 0300 777 4 777 Email: saferfutures@firstlight.org.uk

SAFER CORNWALL Call: 0300 1234 232 Web: safercornwall.co.uk 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.

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.

Self-harm should always be taken seriously however, as it can develop into suicidal thoughts and acts.

There are several reasons for self-harming, such as social problems, trauma, and psychological causes.

If you are concerned about a student who is self-harming, they should be flagged with Living Support.

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.

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.