Help with Self-Harm

If you are worried your child may be self-harming, here are some things to look out for:

• unexplained cuts, burns, bite marks, bruises or bald patches
• keeping themselves covered, for example wearing long sleeves or trousers even during hot weather, not wanting to change clothes around others or avoiding activities like swimming
• bloody tissues in waste bins
• seeming low or depressed, for example withdrawing from friends and family
• blaming themselves for problems or expressing feelings of failure, uselessness or hopelessness
• outbursts of anger or argumentativeness

When understanding what can help your child it is important to remember that different things will work for different children. Whilst talking about self-harm can be really scary in fear or making things worse, it can often be a relief to children and young people. They may feel more comfortable talking to a friend, family member, teacher or school nurse.  Professional support can also make a difference such as Kooth which is an anonymous online counselling service in Bolton available for young people 10 – 25 via www.kooth.com .

If you need more support, your child’s GP or School can refer to Bolton Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) for an assessment and to get the right treatment. Remember that it’s also important that you and your family get support too – you could access www.qwell.io which is free anonymous online counselling for adults over 25 in Bolton. We also have a parent/carer peer support programme which can be accessed through the following Bolton Together referral form https://bolton-together.org.uk/parent-peer-support-programme-referral-form/. You can also contact the Young Minds parent/carer helpline on 0808 802 5544 between 9:30am – 4pm, Mon – Fri.

If your child is in a mental health crisis you can get support from Bolton’s 24.7 Crisis Helpline on 0800 953 0285

There are lots of information, videos and guides below which provide further advice and support around self-harming behaviours.