Sally Panks

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 without...

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. That drawing can...

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 resources and...