Please do not struggle alone with your mental health and self-harm. Tell someone, whether it is a trusted family member or an adult in school. You can also speak to one of the organisations listed to get support and information. In school, we will not judge you but will listen and help you cope.

For parents

The reasons children and teenagers can self-harm are often complicated and will be different for every child or young person. Sometimes a child or teenager may not know the reasons they self-harm.

For many young people, self-harm can feel like a way to cope with difficult feelings or to release tension. The physical pain of hurting themselves can feel like a distraction from the emotional pain they are struggling with. Some difficult experiences or emotions can make self-harm more likely in children:

• experiencing depression, anxiety or eating problems
• having low self-esteem or feeling like they’re not good enough
• being bullied or feeling alone
• experiencing emotional, physical or sexual abuse, or neglect
• grieving or having problems with family relationships
• feeling angry, numb or like they don't have control over their lives.

Discovering that your child is using self-harm as a coping strategy is upsetting and can be distressing.  It is most helpful to react in a calm and compassionate manner that does not communicate to your child that you are shocked, dismayed, frightened, disgusted or disapproving.  The links for parents will help you to support your child.  Please do contact school to discuss the ways that we, as a school, can also help.