self-harm

Self-harm is behaviour that is done deliberately to harm oneself. At least 10% of adolescents report having self-harmed.

A free, downloadable guide for parents and carers who have discovered a young person's self-harm, called Coping with self-harm: A guide for parents and carers is available here.

It provides information for parents and families about self-harm, its causes and effects.

There is a difference between feeling a bit low from time to time and a serious emotional health problem. If your child is feeling unhappy and low for a prolonged period of time, it's time to seek more professional help.

Any professional working with children and young people should know what to do. For example, if you approach a teacher for help, the teacher might deal with the problem with the help of a school counsellor or welfare worker. 

Early help

If you’re worried, any professional working with children and young people should know what to do. For example, if you approach a teacher for help, the teacher might deal with the problem with the help of a school counsellor or welfare worker.

You can visit your GP or go online for information about emotional and mental health. There’s lots of information for parents, carers and children and young people on the YoungMinds website.

If you are worried about a child or need advice and support for coping with anything affecting your child's emotional or mental health, there are different ways to seek help.

If your child is struggling, your GP will be able to offer help and advice.

If your child doesn’t want to talk to you or the GP, suggest it might be helpful to talk things through with people they trust such as a friend, teacher or school nurse.