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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...

Mental Health Awareness Day, observed on October 10th each year, serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of mental health in our...

Podcast by Maria Newman with myself - Rising from The Rubble Talking about self-harm and the effect it had and me and my family...

ADHD and Self-Harm: Understanding the Link When people think of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), they often picture...

Moving Forward After a Relapse 💚🧡 If you’ve relapsed with self-harm, please know this: it doesn’t erase your progress, and it doesn’t...

Delay & Replace. A Safer Way to Ride Out Urges to Self-Harm If you live with urges to self-harm, you already know how intense and...

Discovering Glimmers: Finding Joy in Life’s Small Moments When we talk about mental health, we often hear about triggers - those moments,...

The “Let Them” Theory: Why Letting Go Might Be Your Superpower In a world that constantly tells us to hustle, control outcomes, and hold...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1cB1s4rREkU

Back-to-School Anxiety: Helping Your Child with a Smooth Transition For many children, the start of a new school year brings excitement,...

The Power of Journaling for Mental Well-being When life feels overwhelming, our thoughts can become tangled, a mix of worries, what-ifs,...