{"id":25,"date":"2025-11-11T10:34:32","date_gmt":"2025-11-11T10:34:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/?page_id=25"},"modified":"2026-03-18T16:09:36","modified_gmt":"2026-03-18T16:09:36","slug":"self-harm","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/self-harm\/","title":{"rendered":"Self-harm"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Complete<\/p>\n<h4>Self-harm<\/h4>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-129 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/public\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/uploads\/sites\/20847\/2026\/01\/12212738\/shutterstock_1546869728-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"252\" height=\"168\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/public\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/uploads\/sites\/20847\/2026\/01\/12212738\/shutterstock_1546869728-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/public\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/uploads\/sites\/20847\/2026\/01\/12212738\/shutterstock_1546869728-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/public\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/uploads\/sites\/20847\/2026\/01\/12212738\/shutterstock_1546869728.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 252px) 100vw, 252px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Talking to your teen about self-harm can be difficult. Start with a calm, compassionate, non-judgmental conversation. Share your concern and ask open questions to understand how they\u2019re feeling, for example: \u201cI\u2019m worried about you and noticed these marks. Can you tell me what\u2019s going on?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Self-harm is when someone deliberately hurts their body to cope with overwhelming emotions, painful memories, or distressing experiences. It is a serious mental health concern in young people.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-131 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/public\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/uploads\/sites\/20847\/2026\/01\/12212741\/shutterstock_2312710557-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"195\" height=\"130\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/public\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/uploads\/sites\/20847\/2026\/01\/12212741\/shutterstock_2312710557-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/public\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/uploads\/sites\/20847\/2026\/01\/12212741\/shutterstock_2312710557-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/public\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/uploads\/sites\/20847\/2026\/01\/12212741\/shutterstock_2312710557.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 195px) 100vw, 195px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Most self-poisoning involves prescribed or over-the-counter medication. Most self-injury involves cutting.<\/p>\n<p>Self-harm can include suicide attempts or behaviors with little\/no intent to die, often used to cope with distress, relieve tension, or communicate feelings.<\/p>\n<p>Possible warning signs:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Frequently covering up (e.g., long sleeves)<\/li>\n<li>Unexplained cuts, bruises, burns<\/li>\n<li>Blood stains or bloody tissues<\/li>\n<li>Withdrawal, isolation, avoiding others<\/li>\n<li>Low mood, low self-esteem, self-blame<\/li>\n<li>Anger outbursts or risky behaviors (alcohol\/drugs)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Helpful questions to explore self-harm (ask gently, not all at once):<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Did you mean to end your life? (important to assess suicidal thoughts)<\/li>\n<li>When did it start? How often does it happen? What methods are used?<\/li>\n<li>How do you care for any wounds?<\/li>\n<li>What usually leads you to harm yourself?<\/li>\n<li>When was the last time?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>A basic wound-care kit may include gauze, alcohol-free wipes, closure strips, dressings, tape, and a bandage.<\/p>\n<p>Prepare for these conversations, ask with care, and ensure support is available. Acknowledge that self-harm is a way to cope with distress and gently discuss healthier alternatives \u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.transformationpartners.nhs.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Self-harm-alternative-coping-strategies.pdf\">Microsoft Word &#8211; Coping mechanisms for self harm-client&#8217;s.docx.<\/a>\u00a0Involving a mental health professional is crucial, you can make a referral here \u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.exchange-counselling.com\/new-referral\">Make a Referral | Exchange Counselling<\/a> If you&#8217;re concerned about their immediate safety, take them to an A&amp;E or use one of these resources available 24\/7:<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Papyrus 0800 068 4141<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Self Injury support\u00a0 08088008088 text 07537432444<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Calm 0800 585 858<\/p>\n<p>Parental Guide <a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/public\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/uploads\/sites\/20847\/2026\/02\/16172022\/Supporting-Your-Child-A5-Booklet-English-2023.pdf\">Supporting-Your-Child-A5-Booklet-English-2023<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-166 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/public\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/uploads\/sites\/20847\/2026\/02\/16172247\/Supporting-your-child-guide-PAPYRUS-203x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"126\" height=\"186\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/public\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/uploads\/sites\/20847\/2026\/02\/16172247\/Supporting-your-child-guide-PAPYRUS-203x300.jpg 203w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/public\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/uploads\/sites\/20847\/2026\/02\/16172247\/Supporting-your-child-guide-PAPYRUS.jpg 525w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 126px) 100vw, 126px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Clips<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"#NoHarmDone | A Parent&#039;s Journey | My Child Self-Harms | YoungMinds\" width=\"474\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/b4cPCcJ6o88?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Self-harm and primary school children\" width=\"474\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/GREULIbTt5Q?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>Websites<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>YoungMinds &#8211;\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youngminds.org.uk\/parent\/parents-a-z-mental-health-guide\/self-harm\/\">https:\/\/www.youngminds.org.uk\/parent\/parents-a-z-mental-health-guide\/self-harm\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.exchange-counselling.com\/exchange-resource\">Exchange Resource | Exchange Counselling<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thechelseapsychologyclinic.com\/resources\/videos\/self-harm\/\">Self-Harm Video Resources | The Chelsea Psychology Clinic<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youngminds.org.uk\/young-person\/my-feelings\/self-harm\/\">Self-harm | Advice for young people | Get help | YoungMinds<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=6Qk7d3bhMqc\">How to support someone who is self-harming &#8211; Samaritans<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/shorts\/D6cngamLLe0\">3 Myths About Self-Harm<\/a><\/p>\n<p>NSPCC &#8211;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nspcc.org.uk\/advice-for-families\/self-harm\/\"> Understanding child self-harm<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Complete Self-harm Talking to your teen about self-harm can be difficult. Start with a calm, compassionate, non-judgmental conversation. Share your concern and ask open questions to understand how they\u2019re feeling, for example: \u201cI\u2019m worried about you and noticed these marks. Can you tell me what\u2019s going on?\u201d &nbsp; Self-harm is when someone deliberately hurts their &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/self-harm\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Self-harm<\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4925,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":6,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-25","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/25","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4925"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/25\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":201,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/25\/revisions\/201"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}