Harm Minimisation
Those who self-harm are often using it as a coping mechanism. It is a way of keeping them alive therefore, we need to consider this in our response and support. Harm minimisation as part of a holistic plan respects that self-harm is a coping mechanism and that just stopping is unrealistic. It creates the conditions for keeping the young person safe even while self-harming. It encourages the young person to take some responsibility and ownership around self-care. Alongside safety rules, harm minimisation can be effective for guiding, preventing and minimising self-harm or the impact of self-harm behaviour.
This might include considerations about self-care of wounds such as only using clean implements, understanding the increased risks of certain cuts, learning to care for wounds and maintaining a first aid kit. It may also include rules around trying other strategies first to encourage the urge to self-harm to pass such as counting to 10, listening to a particular song or phoning a friend.
Removing harmful objects
Harm minimisation approaches consider that removing items which may be used for self-harm may not be helpful and may actually cause more harm as the person seeks out alternative ways to hurt themselves. However, depending on the nature of your organisation and the risk to other people, if someone is in possession of a harmful item, it may be necessary to consider whether the item can and should be removed. This can be justified on the grounds of duty of care to the young person and to others, however this is likely to have a significant negative impact on a trusting relationship and as such should be considered only as a last resort.
