happiful september 2021

Where to get help
If you are affected by self-harm,
here are some ways you get
support or information
Phone and text lines
• Samaritans: 116 123 or
jo@samaritans.org
• Shout crisis text line: Text
“SHOUT” to 85258 or
“YM” if you’re under 19
• Childline: 0800 1111
(under 19s).
• YoungMinds parents helpline:
0808 802 5544
• Mind: 0300 123 3393
Webchat services
• Self Injury Support webchat
(for women) is open Tuesday,
and Thursday from 7pm to
9.30pm
• CALM webchat (for men) is
open from 5pm to midnight
every day
3. It’s just a phase
Some people’s experience of
self-harm can be more isolated,
related to a specific situation, and
may stop once that has resolved.
Others may self-harm as a
long-term coping mechanism.
Similar to how some people
crave cigarettes or alcohol in
times of great stress, others may
find an emotional release from
self-harm, which could become
habitual, or even addictive.
“When I was younger, I was
genuinely addicted to it and would
self-harm every day at some
points,” says Emily. “I didn’t know
how else to deal with emotions.”
4. Only teenagers self-harm
Ivy*, 30, who has struggled with
severe depression throughout
her life, says: “One of the biggest
myths around self-harm is that
it’s just teenagers and young
adults who do it. A lot of selfharmers
carry on much further
into adulthood.”
A culmination of the emotional,
hormonal, and physical changes
in teenage years can mean that
this age group is more likely to
become overwhelmed and use
self-harm as a way of coping,
especially if there are other
difficulties going on in their lives.
But self-harm can begin or stop
at any age. Claire*, 28, shared
her experiences of her daughter
Anna* with me.
“When Anna was only three
years old, she began hitting
herself on the head when she
became overwhelmed. I was
56 | September 2021 | happiful.com