At home, when a parent has noticed unexplained cuts, burns, missing razors or a young person becoming withdrawn, this self-harm booklet offers a clear starting point for understanding what may be happening. It is written for parents and carers of children, teens and young people who are worried about self-harm, self-injury, cutting, overdosing, burning, hair pulling, scratching, headbanging or other ways a child might hurt themselves.
The booklet explains that self-harm can be a way of coping with overwhelming feelings rather than something done for attention or to upset others. It describes possible reasons behind self-harming behaviour, including managing emotional distress, releasing tension, expressing shame or fear, feeling in control, grounding, feeling numb, punishing themselves, or trying to show that they need care and support.
Helpful sections cover suicide risk, the importance of sensitively asking whether a young person is thinking about ending their life, and the need to be aware of accidental death. There is also guidance on spotting possible signs of self-harm, accessing professional help, using local early help or safeguarding support, and recognising that parents may feel anger, sadness, helplessness or shock when they find out.
For practical use, the booklet gives conversation prompts and supportive approaches that could be used by parents, foster carers, kinship carers, school pastoral staff or family support workers. It suggests listening without judgement, offering options such as writing a note or speaking to a GP or counsellor, identifying triggers, planning gradual reduction where appropriate, and responding to setbacks as part of recovery rather than failure.
The final section lists alternative coping strategies that families can try together, including distraction, self-soothing, stress relief and emotional release. Examples include walking, drawing, music, a self-soothe box, exercise, caring for a pet, contacting a friend, journalling, talking, using a punchbag, hitting a pillow, listening to loud music and ringing a helpline.
