One in five young people have self-harmed

The YouGov survey of over 2,000 people aged16 and over also indicates that friends and family of people who self-harm may be giving well intentioned but potentially harmful advice, because of a poor understanding of the best ways to provide support.

Key survey findings include:

• More than half (57%) of the 16 to 24-year-olds surveyed knew someone who has self-harmed in the past
• 42% of 16 to 24-year-olds surveyed agreed with the statement ‘I am confident I could give good advice to someone I discovered was self-harming’
• However, a third (32%) of 16 to 24-year-olds said that their first reaction to discovering that someone close to them was self-harming would be to ask them to stop - advice that experts say is understandable but could be counterproductive as it can place unrealistic emotional demands on the person
• Almost a third (30%) of respondents aged 25 and over agreed with the statement ‘I am confident I could give good advice to someone I discovered was self-harming’
• Almost one in five respondents aged 25 and over (18%) said that their first reaction on discovering someone close to them was self-harming, would be to ask them to stop.

The results come as the group of youth charities launch an awareness and marketing drive aimed at young people affected by self-harm, to raise awareness of the advice and information available on YouthNet’s guide to life for 16 to 24-year-olds, TheSite.org, at www.TheSite.org/selfharm.

Paul Marriot, Chief Executive of Depaul UK says:  “A number of the young people we work with on a daily basis are dealing with self-harm issues. Usually, young people who self-harm do so as a way of coping with complex and difficult situations and although it’s understandable that a parent, friend or carer’s instinct would be to try and stop the person from self-harming, it’s actually the issues behind it that need addressing, not the physical aspect of what the person is doing to themselves.”

The online survey also found that few young people considered GPs as a source of information on the issue, with only one in ten young people surveyed (15%) saying that a medical professional would be the first place they would go to for advice about self-harm. However, 43% of this age group cited the internet as their first port of call.

Over a third, (38%) of respondents over the age of 25 said that they would go to ‘a medical professional’ for advice and information first.

Psychotherapist and TheSite.org self-harm expert and advisor, Andrea Scherzer, says: “Traditional methods of accessing health information are losing favour with a younger generation who are used to gathering information online, anonymously and instantly.

“This is why it’s essential that factual, accessible, advice on mental health and self-harm is made available online, allowing young people affected, and those around them, to get a real understanding of the issues and the best way to provide and access support.”

The new self-harm resource (launched in January 2009) is hosted on YouthNet’s guide to life for 16 to 24-year-olds, TheSite.org (at www.TheSite.org/selfharm) and provides detailed information on the subject through podcasts, video, written articles, real-life stories and case studies. Young people can also support, and gain support from, other young people through specialist discussion boards moderated by the charities. Professional advice is available via a confidential question and answer service and a series of live chats.
 
Vera Martins, Director of 42nd Street says: “Self-harm is a highly emotive issue and is often misunderstood. It is something that most people struggle to understand and talk about. Young people who self-harm are often perceived as ‘attention seekers’ - we wish to challenge this kind of a stereotype and other myths connected to self-harm by raising awareness,  creating an environment where people can talk about it openly and are aware of the help and support available.”

Anyone concerned about someone who is self-harming can follow TheSite.org’s clear and simple advice:

• Despite how distressed you might feel after having discovered or suspected your friend or relative is self-harming, try to focus on listening to them and what they are feeling and what kind of support they might need, rather than immediately reacting to the self-destructive behaviour itself
• Self-harm is a sign that something is wrong. It is usually a response to emotional distress and for some young people it is an important coping mechanism. So even if you feel shocked, try to speak with the person about your concerns in a calm and respectful way
• Don't make them promise not to do it again. A guilt trip won't help anyone. It can even make things worse, so try not to place emotional demands on them they probably won't be able to keep
• It's a positive step if someone has managed to open up to you, but getting help from a trained counsellor or health professional is important. Encourage them to seek specialist help and offer to go with them if they're worried about doing it alone. TheSite.org/selfharm is a good first step
• Make sure you get support too – It is distressing for you too so make sure you get the help you need in order to support your friend or relative.

Visit www.TheSite.org/selfharm for more information or advice.

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