UNDERSTANDING SELF-HARMING BEHAVIOUR

 

 

What is Self-harm?

Self-harm refers to deliberate acts that inflict some level of pain or injury upon oneself.

Self-harm can include: cutting, scratching, biting, hitting one’s head, pulling hair, burning, punching and some feel that certain types of piercing and tattooing can also constitute self-harm. Additionally, it can involve the use of drugs or alcohol.

 

 

Why do people do it?

Self-harm tends to be a response to extreme psychological distress or strong emotional pain. Those who do it, often hurt themselves to:

 

            ▪ Cope

            ▪ Gain relief/escape

            ▪ Gain control

 

 

When the body is injured in some way the brain has a tendency to focus on the physical pain and thus, this avoids the need for the person to think about whatever it is that is upsetting them. Obviously, though, this is a short-term ‘solution’ and doesn’t deal directly with the underlying problem.

 

 

Some comments from people who have self-harmed are:

 

“I can control this…I can do this…I have control over something.”“It stopped me going one step further and killing myself.”“You can block everything out.”“There was no-one to talk to...”“It’s a way of saying to someone; this is how much I am hurting.”

 

 

 

A common myth about self-harm is that people only do it for attention. Although a small minority of people may do this, most do it in private and hide the scars.

 

 

 

Who is most at risk?

Self-harming behaviour tends to be more prevalent in females and there is a higher risk level for people who have suffered abuse or neglect; those who come from dysfunctional families and those with poor attachment to their parents. Adolescents in general tend to be at higher risk, as do those with a mental health issues (e.g. depression, anxiety) and those suffering conflict with peers.

 

 

What to do

People who self-harm are at a higher risk of attempting suicide than the general population, so it is important to respond in a helpful and appropriate way.

 

 

• DON’T panic, over-react, shout, punish, scream or threaten. All of these responses are understandable if a loved-one is self-harming, but they often make the person feel worse about themselves. Anger is often perceived as disapproval, so trying to maintain your calm is important.

 

 

• DON’T minimise or trivialise their feelings. Comments like: “Just get over it!” or “What have you got to be sad about?!” are common, but can actually cause more harm than good. The young person feels like their problems are not important and will be unlikely to tell you if things get worse.

 

 

• DON’T argue about their reasons for self-harming.

 

 

• DON’T try and give ultimatums or force them to simply stop the self-harming. Although this is what we all want to happen, simply removing the self-harming as a coping strategy can often mean the person has no other way of dealing with their psychological distress which can increase their risk of suicide.

 

 

• DO accept that whatever the person’s reasons for self-harming they are important to that person.

 

 

• DO respond in as neutral and caring a manner as possible. Just as getting angry can make the person feel worse, so can making them feel guilty. Comments like:

 

 

 “Do you know what this is doing to the family?!” or “How can you do this to yourself!?” are understandable, but can make the person self-harming feel worse about themselves and what they’ve done to themselves.

 

 

A more helpful response is CALMLY saying something like:

 

 

“I can see you must be feeling really upset about _________ and I really hate to see you hurting yourself. Let’s talk about what we can do to make things better”.

 

 

• DO Seek help from a trained professional. If you are unsure what the first step might be – speak to your School Psychologist or your family Doctor. (Additionally, look at further information on this website under "Mental Health and Well-being".

 

 

• DO make yourself available to spend time with and to listen to the person.

 

 

Waiting for the self–harming to resolve itself or hoping that ‘It’s just a phase’ are not good options and can put the person at greater risk.

 

 

****If you are concerned that the young person is in immediate danger of attempting suicide, call the Mental Health Emergency Response Line - 1300 555 788 (all hours), the ACUTE RESPONSE TEAM 1800 048 636 (all hours) or ‘000’.

 

 

Drug and Alcohol Youth Service

 

Based in East Perth, the Drug and Alcohol Youth Service (DAYS) is a free and confidential service which offers treatment and support to young people experiencing drug and alcohol related problems.

DAYS is a partnership between the Drug and Alcohol Office and Mission Australia, providing inpatient withdrawal and respite services, inpatient residential rehabilitation service and outpatient counselling and support, psychotherapy and medical assessment to young people aged between 12 and 18 years of age (with some flexibility up to the age of 21 for people who are experiencing significantly problematic drug use).

Staffed by doctors, nurses, clinical psychologists, drug and alcohol workers, and Aboriginal and youth mentors the service also gives young people access to educational, recreational and exercise programs, and offers complementary therapies such as art, music and drama therapy.

 

Family interaction is encouraged, with families and other key people involved through support, information and referral.  Both outpatient and withdrawal and respite programs are available from the East Perth site, with a three month residential rehabilitation program offered in Carlisle.

Treatment services offered within these programs include:

• Comprehensive assessment

• Case management

• Individual counselling

• Medical assessment and review

• Clinical Psychology services

• Group programs

• Mentoring and outreach (including Aboriginal mentoring)

• Opiate and alcohol pharmacotherapy

• Parent and family counselling

• Alternate therapies (including music and reiki)

 

For more information contact DAYS on (08) 9222 6300, referrals can be made through the duty system Monday to Friday, 12:30pm - 4:00pm on 1300 651 329.

 

 

Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS)

 

The Alcohol and Drug Information Service is a confidential, non-judgemental 24 hour/seven days a week helpline for anybody seeking assistance with alcohol or other drug use.  

For people who speak little or no English, see help for alcohol and drug users or help for parents, partners, family and friends.

 

• Tel: (08) 9442 5000

• Country toll-free: 1800 198 024

• Email: adis@health.wa.gov.au

 

Help for parents and families

The service provides the counselling component of our helpline for parents and families, the Parent Drug Information Service.

 

• Tel: (08) 9442 5050

• Country toll-free: 1800 653 203

• Email: pdis@health.wa.gov.au    

 

Counselling

Professional alcohol and other drug counsellors will listen to your concerns, provide emotional support and help plan the best course of action for you and your family.

 

Information

The service will provide you with information about all aspects of alcohol and other drug use, treatment services and agencies and where to access ongoing support for your family.

 

Referral

Counsellors will explain the different treatment options available and refer you and your family to an appropriate service, other counselling services and support groups.

 

Parent to parent support

In addition to professional counsellors, The Parent Drug Information Service has a network of trained volunteer parents you can speak to between 8:00am and 10:00pm each day. These parents have experienced their own child's substance use and will listen, share coping strategies and discuss options with you. If you're interested in volunteering with the service, see Volunteer Support Network.

 

Support groups

The service's volunteer parents operate support groups at various locations across the metropolitan area.  Contact the Parent Drug Information Service to find one that suits you.

 

Drug Court support

If you have a child or family member going through Perth's drug court system, the Parent Drug Information Service attends the court every Monday morning, and we encourage you to chat with one of the service's volunteer parents. 

The volunteers are there to support you, answer any questions you might have and refer you to other services that can help you and your family.  

 

You may also find it helpful to visit the Western Australian Government's Drug Court webpage, which provides information about court processes and has fact sheets you can download.