Understanding Self-Harm, Suicidality and
Risk Taking Behaviours in Young People
What are self harm, suicidality and risk taking behaviours?
If you feel you are ‘In Crisis’ it is important to get immediate support.
Self-harm usually involves doing things which cause pain or injury to yourself intentionally. This may include things such as cutting or burning yourself. People can self-harm for lots of different reasons and it can be very common in young people.
Suicidality is where you experience thoughts and feelings of wishing you were dead, and potentially making plans to end your own life.
Risk taking behaviours can also sometimes take the form of self harm, or may include situations where you could potentially come to harm.
Why might I be doing this?
Young people can self harm for a number of reasons:
- Self-harm can be a way of expressing or coping with overwhelming feelings or low self esteem.
- Something extremely stressful or difficult may be happening in their life.
- They may want to feel something or feel nothing.
- Sometimes self-harm becomes a habit or an addiction too.
- They may self-harm to ask for help.
- These behaviours may be linked to strong thoughts or voices and they may come on suddenly or get worse with time.
- Some young people think about wanting to die suddenly or after something bad or upsetting happens.
- These thoughts can come and go quickly (be impulsive) and they can be very strong.
Whatever the effect on you, please speak to anyone you can and ask for help.
What can I do to help myself?
It is really important that you speak to an adult you trust if you are struggling with self-harm or having suicidal thoughts. People can often feel really isolated or alone when they feel this way and can feel unable to talk to others about their difficulties. Reaching out to someone you trust or accessing a helpline can be a good first step to getting help.
When might a referral be appropriate?
If you are concerned about self-harming or you have experienced suicidal thoughts or plans, then a referral to CAMHS is appropriate.
CAMHS can help you, and those around you to understand and explore what might be going on for you, and get you linked into the right support.
What can I expect?
A mental health professional will meet with you to carry out a mental health assessment. this will help us to understand your current difficulties better, assess for risk, and create a safety plan if needed to help keep you safe in the first instance. It is often helpful to involve a parent or carer in the risk assessment and safety plan part so we can understand what works best for you.
Afterwards your mental health professional will discuss with you a plan for going forward, and if there is any treatment or therapy that could be helpful for you to manage self-harming, suicidality, and the risks around them.
Resources
Childline, is free online or telephone support for under 19s.
Samaritans free confidential telephone (116 123) or online support.
Young Minds free crisis text line, text YM to 85258
Prevent Suicide D&G is an app for those affected by suicide, it provides information for other services available within Dumfries & Galloway.
Understanding Self-Harm, Suicidality and Risk Taking Behaviours for Parents & Carers
How do I know if my child is self harming or suicidal?
Sometimes behaviours are very well concealed or secretive. If you suspect that your child/ a young person is concealing sharp objects, hiding medication, or using objects to self-harm then please try to speak to them about it as openly as possible.
- Asking about these behaviours does not cause it to worsen. It may also be helpful to monitor your child’s social media use in case this is contributing.
- You may notice a change in your child’s moods, sleep, appetite and way of dressing (e.g. hiding arms).
- You may notice a reduction in some activities they previously enjoyed. There may or may not be a predisposing event.
How do I know if my child is self harming or suicidal?
Sometimes behaviours are very well concealed or secretive. If you suspect that your child / a young person is concealing sharp objects, hiding medication, or using objects to self-harm then please try to speak to them about it as openly as possible.
- Asking about these behaviours does not cause it to worsen. It may also be helpful to monitor your child’s social media use in case this is contributing.
- You may notice a change in your child’s moods, sleep, appetite and way of dressing (e.g. hiding arms).
- You may notice a reduction in some activities they previously enjoyed. There may or may not be a predisposing event.
It is important that you try and work alongside your child by opening up communication with anyone they feel comfortable with. It’s important to consider what would make your child feel safest and most secure. Professionals may ask you to safety plan and this would include removing any objects of risk in the environment and to possibly input into a wider, multiagency care plan.
How might this affect them?
Dealing with behaviours can be hard and scary. Young people may hurt their bodies, change their eating behaviours or use drugs and alcohol to self-harm.
They may become more isolated. They may change their social media usage.
Unfortunately, young people do lose their lives through suicide or acts of misadventure and suicidal behaviours are often impulsive which makes risk harder to spot.
How can I help my child?
It is important that you try and work alongside your child by opening up communication with anyone they feel comfortable with. It’s important to consider what would make your child feel safest and most secure.
Professionals may ask you to safety plan and this would include removing any objects of risk in the environment and to possibly input into a wider, multiagency care plan.
When might a referral to CAMHS be appropriate ?
Not all people who are suicidal or self-harming are mentally unwell and not everyone who is mentally unwell displays these behaviours.
If things are escalating rapidly and you are concerned about the young persons mental health and immediate risk to themselves, please take urgent action by contacting CAMHS on 01387 244662, your GP, or if out of hours contact NHS 24 or use the resources below.
What can I expect?
A mental health professional will meet with your child to carry out a mental health assessment. this will help us to understand the current difficulties better, assess for risk, and create a safety plan if needed to help keep your child safe in the first instance.
Afterwards your mental health professional will discuss with you a plan for going forward, and if there is any treatment or therapy that could be helpful for managing self-harming, suicidality, and the risks around them.
Please be assured if we will try to involve you wherever possible.
Resources
Prevent Suicide D&G is an app for those affected by suicide, it provides information for other services available within Dumfries & Galloway.