Words by Cheyanne Bryan
We can all agree that talking about self-harm is a difficult topic to talk about, but it continues to be a pressing issue among young people worldwide.
Raising awareness for self-injury helps eradicate some of that taboo and promotes sufficient help to those who need it, so they can access mental health care without the need to be ashamed or suffer in silence.
For this #SelfHarmAwarenessDay, we want to give flowers to some charities and organisations that are being a part of the solution and creating a long-lasting impact.
With nearly 40 years dedicated to mental health care, Self-injury Support is a UK-wide charity offering a direct support line, self-help resources and regional peer support to girls and women.
Their aid goes beyond this as they also provide general support resources and training to educate the wider public on self-harm and destigmatising it.
You can find more about Self Injury Support and support them on their website here.
Founders Caroline and Amy started Harmless in 2007 as a way to use their own experiences to help others. The organisation has grown to be a leader in promoting hope and recovery to those at risk of self harm. Their consultancy, support sessions and intervention training helps many individuals, families and professionals.
Visit their dedicated page for Self-Harm Awareness Day here.
Started in 2016 as a Facebook support group, Battle Scars is a survivor-led and run charity that has expanded its reach to offer in-person local and remote support sessions for those dealing with self harm.
All members of the Leeds-based charity’s team have experience with self harm, either through loved ones or themselves, and operate on a peer support model. Through their services they aim to reduce the stigma surrounding self harm and support those who are suffering,
Youthscape offers a free seven-week workshop for 10 to 17-year-olds across the UK dealing with self harm. Their Alumina course is an online support programme led by trained youth workers for up to 14 young people in each session.
Developed through funding from the National Lottery and Comic Relief, Alumina gets to the complex root causes and coaches the young people through their recovery journey.
To find out more about what they offer, go to their website here.
Head Above The Waves (HATW) supports young people dealing with their mental health, specifically targeting depression and self-harm. The Cardiff-based non-profit strives to ‘promote positive, creative ways of dealing with the bad days.’
Between selling apparel and running workshops online and in schools, they find ways to share positivity while campaigning for a sensitive matter.
Find ways to support Head Above The Waves on their website here.
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
Mind. This is a UK-wide charity and mental health service database. Find out more here.
Papyrus. This charity is dedicated to the prevention of young suicide and promotion of positive mental wellbeing for young people. Support them here.
Young Minds. This is a charity fights for young people's mental health and campaigns for adequate treatment for those suffering with their mental wellbeing. Find out more and support them here.
This article aligns with the UN SDG Good Health and Wellbeing.
