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This video briefly talks you through the contents of our 40 Piece safety kit. They come in various styles and colours of bags, however, the contents remains the same in them all.

Discovering that your child is self-harming can be overwhelming and confusing. You might feel helpless or unsure about how to support them. Understanding why young people self-harm and knowing how to respond can make a significant difference in helping your child find healthier ways to cope. This post will guide you through the reasons behind self-harm, practical steps to support your child, and useful resources to assist you both on this journey. Why do young people self-har

🌸 Celebrating Modern Womanhood on International Women’s Day – 8th March 🌸 Every year on 8th March, the world comes together to celebrate International Women’s Day - a day of reflection, recognition, and renewed commitment to equality. But beyond the hashtags, the flowers, and the well-meaning messages, this day is something deeper. It is a celebration of the strength, resilience, brilliance, and heart of women everywhere. Today, we celebrate not just achievements - but jour

Why Self-Harm Becomes an Addiction: Understanding the Cycle and Supporting Recovery Self-harm is often misunderstood. Many people think it is simply a way of seeking attention or expressing distress. In reality, for many individuals, self-harm can become something far more complex - a coping mechanism that gradually develops into an addictive cycle. Understanding self-harm through the lens of addiction can help us approach it with greater compassion and more effective support

Dyscalculia Awareness Day: Shining a Light on an Overlooked Learning Difference When we talk about learning differences, conditions like dyslexia often take centre stage. But for many children and adults across the UK, daily life is shaped by another, lesser-known challenge: dyscalculia. Dyscalculia Awareness Day, observed each year on 3rd March, is dedicated to raising understanding of this specific learning difficulty, encouraging early identification, and promoting the rig

Inside The Wellbeing Locker Room – Episode 2 This episode features Sally, founder of S&L Self-Harm Distraction Kits , where we talk about the incredible work being done to support people who may be struggling and the importance of having tools and support available. At The Wellbeing Locker Room® we believe in supporting the person behind the player, and these conversations help raise awareness of the support that is out there in our community. check out their website by click

Today is about compassion, understanding, and hope. Self-harm is often misunderstood, surrounded by stigma, and hidden in silence. Self-Harm Awareness Day gives us the opportunity to speak openly, challenge myths, and remind people that support is available - and that recovery is possible. Why Might Someone Self-Harm? Self-harm is not about attention-seeking or “being dramatic.” It is usually a coping mechanism, a way of managing overwhelming emotions when someone doesn’t yet

Eating Disorders Awareness Week: Understanding the Link Between Eating Disorders and Self-Harm Eating Disorders Awareness Week is an opportunity to shine a light on conditions that are often misunderstood, minimised, or hidden behind stigma. Eating disorders are serious and complex mental health illnesses — not lifestyle choices, not phases, and not simply about food or weight. They can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, or background. Behind the behaviours

Listen now on spotify! https://open.spotify.com/episode/1v6alNsdOkRFRZai5FhnMf?si=XvE41IPYRT-NvomPqSBCvw If you are raising children right now, this episode is one you cannot afford to skip. In this deeply honest and emotional conversation, I sit down in the campervan with Sally, founder of S&L Self Harm Distraction Kits, to talk about what really happens when your child starts to struggle in ways you never saw coming. From the shock of that first phone call from school, to n

If anyone would like to hear my latest podcast please use the links below. It was an honour to be a guest on Karen Bashfords The Empowered Women Life Leaders podcast series. This is what Karen had to say: Some conversations stay with you long after the microphone is turned off. In this episode of The Empowered Women Life Leaders Podcast, to be released on the 2nd February, I’m joined by Sally Panks, a woman whose life changed forever after a phone call from her daughter’s pri

Supporting someone who is self-harming can feel overwhelming, but your care can make a real difference. Here are practical, compassionate ways to help, while also protecting your own wellbeing. How to support them 1. Lead with empathy, not judgment • Let them know you care and you’re glad they told you. • Use calm, non-shaming language. Avoid reactions like anger, shock, or ultimatums. 2. Listen more than you talk • You don’t need to “fix” it. Being present and listening w

Why We Include Coloured Pens in Our S&L Self-Harm Distraction Kits. At first glance, coloured pens might seem like a simple addition to our S&L Self-Harm Distraction Kits. In reality, they are a carefully considered tool designed to support moments of distress with creativity, care, and pause. One theory behind their inclusion is the idea of self-care after injury, without causing harm. Using a red pen to draw a mock wound allows someone to externalise what they are feeling.

The image is a snippet from an email sent to me during the week. It was from a professional working with children and young people. This is exactly why we need to get our kits into the community. Self-harm is everywhere. It’s in every school, every college, every university, every youth group, every work place! It is not a reflection on anyones setting, it is a reflection on the current mental health crisis, and not just in the UK. It is a reflection on the lack of adequate r

Self-harm is one of the most misunderstood things in mental health. It’s often talked about in vague, careful language, or reduced to stereotypes that don’t match reality. People are told it’s attention-seeking, dramatic, or something they should “just stop.” That version of the story leaves a lot out. This post is about what self-harm actually is, why people do it, why it’s usually hidden, and why stopping isn’t simple. It’s also about the small, practical things that can he

For years, one persistent and harmful belief has held far too much power: the idea that talking about self-harm, or educating young people about it, will somehow make them more likely to engage in it. It’s an understandable fear. Adults want to protect young people, and conversations about self-harm can feel uncomfortable, frightening, or “too heavy.” But research, safeguarding professionals, and lived experience all tell us the same thing: Silence is more dangerous than conv

There is a growing, often invisible crisis in the UK’s health system: the long and deeply unequal waiting times for neurodivergent children to access assessment and mental health support. For many families, getting a diagnosis or therapeutic help feels like an endless wait — and this delay can have serious consequences. Why Waiting Times Matter A neurodivergent diagnosis (for example, ADHD or autism) is more than a label. It can unlock vital support: tailored education plans,

We are all have a part the play! At least 1 in 15 young people are known to self-harm — but the reality is that many more are suffering in silence. Hidden self-harm is a growing issue across the UK, and signs can start to show from as young as eight years old. That’s why it’s so important to give children and young people the tools to manage their emotions in a healthy, positive way before self-harm becomes their coping strategy. Schools Have a Vital Role to Play Schools don’

Movember: Shining a Light on Men’s Mental Health and Wellbeing As the clocks go back and the nights grow longer, November takes on a new meaning - or should we say Movember. The month formerly known as November has become a global movement dedicated to raising awareness and funds for men’s health. Across the UK and beyond, brave and selfless men put down their razors and grow a moustache, while women, families, and communities rally behind them. But behind the fun and facial

As winter arrives, bringing shorter days and longer nights, many people struggle with feelings of sadness and lethargy. This seasonal shift from the bright vibrancy of summer can be tough on our mental health. Winter blues are common, but with proactive strategies, we can maintain a positive outlook, even when the sun sets early. In this post, we explore practical ways to foster positivity and mental brightness in these chilly months. Understanding the Impact of Seasonal Chan

Do I Hide the Blades? It’s a question that many carers, loved ones, and professionals face when supporting someone who self-harms: Do I...