No Harm Done – dispelling myths, giving hope and practical help for young people, parents and professionals affected by self-harm
| Pages | 134-135 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JPMH-04-2016-0021 |
| Date | 19 September 2016 |
| Published date | 19 September 2016 |
| Author | Marc Bush |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Mental health,Public mental health |
No Harm Done –dispelling myths, giving hope
and practical help for young people, parents
and professionals affected by self-harm
Marc Bush
Marc Bush is a Chief Policy
Adviser at YoungMinds,
London, UK.
Abstract
Purpose –The No Harm Done films provide hope and give support to those affected by
self-harm. The accompanying digital packs dispel myths, answer frequently asked questions,
provide practical advice and signpost to further help and support. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach –YoungMinds employed its sector-leading expertise in youth and parent
engagement. Both the films and digital packs were co-created with young people, parents and professionals,
reflecting their real-life experiences of self-harm.
Findings –The project responded to young people who self-harm telling us they feel isolated, alone, in need
of hope and help to counteract the negative and frightening messages widely available online. Parents
confided they also feel isolated and that it is their fault their child is harming themselves. Teachers told us they
see the signs but cannot bring themselves to say anything, and even if they want to, they cannot find the
words to reach out to young people.
Originality/value –Quote from a professional “I personally found the No Harm Done short films to be
incredibly valuable resources for my practice with young people. The way the films have been produced will
make it a lot harder for young people that I work with to judge the action of self-harm given that there are no
graphic harming words/stories and the films themselves do not come across as triggering. I feel enthusiastic
that these films will encourage understanding and empathy from peers and spark conversation enabling
those who have no knowledge around self-harm to be more accepting, open and supportive of those who
have issues with self-harm.”
Keywords Self-harm, Young people, Parents, Self injury, No Harm Done
Paper type Case study
Self-harm among young people is a subject shrouded in guilt, shame and mystery for everyone
involved. Young people who self-harm say that they feel isolated and alone. Parents often
confide that they feel it is their fault their child is harming themselves. Teachers tell us they see the
signs but cannot bring themselves to say anything, and even if they want to, they cannot find the
words to reach out to young people.
Although commonly seen as an issue that affects teenage girls, self-harm spans the divides of
gender, as well as class, age and ethnicity. Up to one in five young people self-harm, but many
other young people, and many adults, find themselves in the position of wanting to offer support,
but not knowing what to say.
Responding to this need, YoungMinds, The Charlie Waller Memorial Trust and The Royal College
of Psychiatrists have produced No Harm Done –three short films and resource packs about
self-harm, co-created with young people, parents and professionals to dispel myths, provide
hope, reduce isolation, give practical help and counteract the negative and frightening messages
that are widely available online.
Received 29 April 2016
Accepted 2 May 2016
The author acknowledges
Melea Mapes, YoungMinds; Clare
Stafford and Pooky Knightsmith,
Charlie Waller Memorial Trust;
Dr Helen Rayner, The Royal
College of Psychiatrists.
PAGE134
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JOURNAL OF PUBLIC MENTAL HEALTH
j
VOL. 15 NO. 3 2016, pp. 134-135, © Emerald Group Publishing Limited, ISSN 1746-5729 DOI 10.1108/JPMH-04-2016-0021
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