Self Harm

Guidance created in partnership with Mind.

What is self-harm?

Self-harm is when someone hurts themselves as a way of dealing with or expressing difficult thoughts and feelings. There are lots of things that could be described as self-harm. Here are some of the most common forms:

• cutting or scratching the skin
• biting, punching or banging
• burning or scalding
• pulling or excessively plucking hair
• poisoning
• taking overdoses

Self-harm doesn’t always leave marks on the body, and people may put lots of effort into hiding any injuries.

Many people use self-harm as a coping mechanism, when they are struggling with difficult emotions. Between one in 12 and one in 15 children and young people deliberately self-harm according to a report from the Mental Health Foundation (2006). 

On average, this is two young people in every secondary school classroom who have hurt themselves as a means of coping with distress.

Some people may think that self-harm is the same as a suicide attempt, but this isn’t true. Even where someone may have taken an overdose, they may be intending to harm themselves rather than trying to end their life.

Why do young people self-harm?

It’s important to understand that there are lots of different reasons why someone might self-harm, and you should try not to make any assumptions.

For many people, self-harm is a coping mechanism that they can use when they are dealing with difficult thoughts and feelings. Although you may feel like the most important thing is changing the self-harming behaviour, it’s often more important to recognise the reasons someone might be doing this. Some people will understand why they are hurting themselves, whereas others will be less sure.

It may be that they can be linked to difficult life experiences (eg. abuse, bullying, family break up) or stresses at school.

Self harm may be linked to feelings such as feeling numb or unable to express emotions, feeling overwhelmed, feeling a lack of control or wanting someone to notice their distress. It may be linked to problems such as abuse, bullying, bereavement or stresses at school.

How should I respond to someone who is self-harming?

If you become aware or a young person discloses that they self-harm, the most important thing you can do is stay calm and non-judgemental.

It can be a big step for a young person to start talking about what is happening for them. 

Giving a calm and non-judgmental response can help the young person feel able to speak more openly and access support services.

You should reassure the young person that it’s ok to talk about their self-harm, and that you will support them even if you don’t understand why they are doing it or how they are feeling. You can let them know that there are lots of forms of support available. 

What support is there for young people who are self-harming?

If a referral needs to be made to a specialist service (such as Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services – CAMHS), the referral is completed by the Safeguarding Team.

The first stage is that Safeguarding is likely to seek advice from Children's Services and may be asked by them to make a referral. Volunteers are not expected to make a referral on behalf of a young person or the people they live with.

What you can do is make the young person or parent and carer, as appropriate, aware of support that is available. It may be useful to have information about relevant support organisations available at your meeting place.

The young person could seek support through their GP, a counsellor, or by contacting a Mental Health Organisation. A young person can be directed to useful Mental Health Organisations and can access support in several ways through these agencies. 

Information and support can be accessed online, but it’s important to be aware that there'll also be misleading or harmful content online too.

Remember, just being involved in a supportive environment within Scouts and the positive relationships made there, can make a big difference. Just being supportive and understanding can have a very positive affect.

How do we support the volunteers who are supporting the young person who is self-harming?

Volunteers or other adults in Scouts should not become the main support for a young person who is self-harming. This places additional stress on the adult, which may not be recognised because the focus is on the young person.

The major support needs to be identified outside Scouts, and this aspect of the work will be overseen by The Safeguarding Team. Always contact the Safeguarding Team at Scout HQ for advice.