SELF-INJURY
Resources and Information for People who Self-Injure, Health and Mental Health Professionals, Friends, Relatives and Advocates

Organisations for people who self-injure

National Self-Harm Network (NSHN)
P.O. Box 7264
Nottingham
NG1 6WJ

info@nshn.co.uk
www.nshn.co.uk

The NSHN is a survivor-led organisation committed to campaigning for the rights and understanding of people who self-injure. The network is focused on its campaign to improve treatments in Accident and Emergency departments, publishing leaflets for health staff, supporters and people who self-injure. The NSHN can also put you in touch with experienced trainers with first-hand experience of self-injury. They also offer training on self-harm at competitive rates to statutory and voluntary workers nationally.

Bristol Crisis Service for Women (BCSW)
P.O. Box 654
Bristol
BS99 1XH
www.users.zetnet.co.uk/bcsw
Helpline: 0117 925 1119
Fri and Sat evenings 9pm - 12.30am & Sundays 6pm-9pm

BCSW is a collectively run charity set up in 1986 to respond to the needs of women in emotional distress. They have a particular focus on self-injury and provide a national helpline for women in crisis. They offer any woman who calls a chance to talk through her feelings in confidence, without fear of being judged or dismissed. They also support self-help groups, offer training and publish a wide range of literature. For further information and a publications list contact the above address.

42nd Street
Suicide/Self-Harm Worker - Admin Line: 0161 832 0169
42nd Street
Second Floor, Swan Buildings
20 Swan Street
Manchester
M4 5JW
Helpline: 0161 832 0170
Open Mon, Tues & Fri 9.30am-1.15pm | Mon to Fri 1.30pm-5pm

42nd Street is a mental health service for young people aged 15 to 25 (in Manchester) facing a broad range of problems including self-harm and suicide. They offer a variety of individual support alongside a range of groups based at the resource and within the local community. They have initiated specific schemes, including a suicide/self-harm project offering individual and group support to young people. Having completed a research project on young people, self-harm and suicide, they have produced an excellent book based on their findings. 42nd Street also provide suicide/self-harm training in the form of one-day workshops to other organisations.

Self-Harm Alliance (SHA)
PO Box 61
Cheltenham
Gloucestershire
GL51 8YB
Helpline: 01242 578820
www.selfharmalliance.org

selfharmalliance@aol.com
Wednesdays to Sundays 7pm - 8pm

The Self Harm Alliance is a national survivor led voluntary group which supports people affected by self-harm. The SHA has a large membership of people from all areas of the UK and from many different age groups.

Mutual Support Groups

Self Help Nottingham,
Orniston House,
32-36 Pelham Street
Nottingham.
NG1 2EG.

STEPS - Support, Tolerance, Empathy, Perseverance and Strength
C/o Mad Women
60 Duke Street
Liverpool
L1 5AA
Contact: Clare Shaw - Telephone: 0151 726 8432

This is an awareness raising and campaigning group for women who self-injure. It meets Tuesday evenings from 6.30pm - 8.30pm.

HOPE - Hope Of People Everywhere
C/o INSIGHT
79 Buckingham Road
Brighton
East Sussex
BN1 3RT
Contact: Clara Manzi / Bill Downer
Telephone: 01273 749099/885556

Based in Sussex, this is a mixed, facilitated and closed group that always has a ratio of at least six women to two men. It also offers the option of one to one counselling. They have a focus on self-harm, what lies behind it and how to minimise the risk of self-injury by finding alternative coping mechanisms.

Self-Harm Group
Bank House
22 Midland Road
Swadlincote
Derbyshire
DE11 0AG
Contact: Denise Shillabeer
Telephone: 01283 222881

This group is a self-harm support group in the Derbyshire area.

Guernsey Self-Harm Support Group
Contact: Jo
Telephone: 01481 714814

A group is no longer held but information on self-harm can be provided to people in the Guernsey area.

Hope
Leeds MIND Self Help Initiatives Project
3rd Floor
6-8 The Headrow
Leeds
LS1 6PT
Contact: Michael Jones
Telephone: 0113 245 5151

This is a self-help group where people can meet and talk together on an equal level. You will be taken notice of, nobody will put you down and you stay in control of what happens to you. It is open to women and men aged 16 or over. The meeting is in a quiet room every Wednesday from 6.30pm - 8.30pm.

Self-Harm Support Group
Islington MIND
8 Manor Gardens
London
N7
Contact: Peter Nevins
Telephone: 0207 272 6797

The support group provides a safe and confidential environment for individuals to share experiences. They do not judge or have expectations of a person's self-harm. Meetings are on Wednesdays from 2.30pm - 4pm. This group is suspended at present but Peter Nevins can be used as a contact for people in this area who self-harm.

Inner Scream
C/o East Suffolk Advocacy Network
St. Clements Hospital
Foxhall Road
Ipswich
Suffolk
IP3 8LS
Telephone: 01473 274422
Contact: Pauline White

Inner Scream is a self-help group based in the Suffolk area for individuals who self-injure. Safe, supportive and confidential, it is enabling people to explore their feelings, share experiences and discuss coping strategies. It is held on Monday mornings from 10am - 12noon.

Having A Voice
The Venture Centre
491 Mill Street
Openshaw
Manchester
M11 2AD
Contact: Diane Flanagan
Telephone: 0161 223 4438/9838

The East Manchester Anxiety Management self-help group provides help and support for people with stress and anxiety in a confidential, private atmosphere. The group meets on Thursdays from 1pm to 3pm. The organisation also provides recovery and self-help techniques for people with severe difficulties. Mike Grierson also runs an educational group on Fridays from 1pm to 3pm.

Stockport Mind Self-Help Group
C/o Stockport Mind Offices
Dove House
65 Union Street
Stockport
SK1 3NP
Telephone: 0161 480 7393

info@stockportmind.org.uk
www.stockportmind.org.uk

This self-help group for people who self-harm offers a safe place to explore issues and feelings, feel heard and supported, be valued for your whole self and to get information about self-harm. The group meets every week on Wednesdays from 7pm to 8.30pm.

Rape and Sexual Abuse Organisations

London Rape Crisis Centre
LRCC
P.O. Box 69
London
WC1X 9NJ

Rape Crisis Centres will help women and girls who have survived sexual violence and abuse and are often run by women survivors. You can find your local centre by looking in the telephone directory or by contacting the address above.

RASASC - Rape And Sexual Abuse Support Centre
RASASC
P.O. Box 383
Croydon
CR9 2AW
Telephone: 0208 683 3311
Helpline: 0208 683 3300
Mon to Fri 12noon-2.30pm & 7pm-9.30pm
Weekends 2.30pm-5pm (365 days a year)

rasasc@hotmail .com
www.rasasc.org.uk

RASASC offers confidential help and support for women and girls who have experienced rape or sexual abuse - however long ago.

Independent Care After Incest and Rape (ICAIR)
Tina Morris (Secretary)
ICAIR
PO Box 10215
Birmingham
B42 2WZ

alternatively contact:
Head Office:Gatehouse, Whiteways, Gt. Chesterford, Essex, CB10 1NX
Telephone: 01799 530520

The purpose of ICAIR is to assist victims of childhood abuse and rape seek and find the appropriate professional or voluntary assistance they need to enable them to recover from the emotional and psychological trauma which they have experienced. ICAIR contacts all have personal experience of childhood abuse and/or rape so they have a unique understanding when it comes to helping other victims.

Breaking Free
Telephone: 0208 648 3500

Based in the Surrey area, this support group supports women survivors (18+ years) of child sexual abuse; also providing limited support for men and young people. They aim to offer a safe, confidential and supportive environment for women to deal with issues arising from their experiences. BF provides a telephone helpline, face-to-face help, group work and support by letter and newsletter. Ring for details.

Survivors
Survivors UK
P.O. Box 2470
London
SW9 6WQ
Office Enquiries: 0207 357 6222
Helpline: 0207 357 6677

info@survivorsuk.org.uk
www.survivorsuk.org.uk

A men's self-help group, Survivors is the only national support organisation working with male victims or survivors of rape and childhood sexual abuse.

Survivors Network
Survivors Network
79 Buckingham Road
Brighton
BN1 3RJ
Telephone: 01273 203380
Helpline: 01273 720110

survivors.network@tinyworld.co.uk

This Sussex focused network is for women abused in childhood. They offer a drop-in service on the 1st Thursday of every month from 7pm to 9pm. They publish a newsletter every two months and they also produce a list of independent counsellors.

Basement Project
Lois Arnold & Anne Magill
The Basement Project
P.O. Box 5
Abergavenny
NP7 5XW
Telephone: 01873 856524

basement.project@virgin.net

The Basement Project is a community resource providing support groups for individuals who were abused in childhood and those who self-injure. Their work is founded on the principle of respect for individuals, their rights to determine their own needs and to make choices for themselves.

Counselling/ Support/ Women's Organisations

Women In Secure Hospitals (WISH)
WISH
18 Borough High Street
London
SE1 9QG
Contact: Laila Namdarkhan
Telephone: 0207 407 5191

WISH offers support, advocacy and advice to women who self-harm in secure hospitals and Regional, Medium and Low Secure Units and prison psychiatric units. WISH is a campaigning organisation which campaigns for better resources to meet the needs of this community of women. WISH also provides training on gender awareness within the NHS and Private and Voluntary service providers.

Women's Aid Federation
P.O. Box 391
Bristol
BS99 7WS
National Domestic Violence Helpline: 08457 023 468

A service providing advice, help and information for women suffering from domestic violence.

Threshold
14 St. George's Place
Brighton
East Sussex
BN1 4GB
Main Admin Line: 01273 626444
National Women's Information Line: 0845 3000 911

thrwomen@globalnet.co.uk
www.thresholdwomen.org.uk

This initiative for women and mental health organises conferences, self-help groups and offers some face-to-face counselling. They also produce a newsletter. The Threshold National Women's Information Line has a database with organisations/services relevant to women and mental health.

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
BACP
1 Regent Place
Rugby
Warwickshire
CV21 2PJ
Telephone: 01788 550899 (Office Line)
0870 443 5252 (National Rate)
Mon to Fri 8.45am-5pm
www.counselling.co.uk

BACP gives information on counselling and therapy. For a list of local contacts send an S.A.E to the address above. A list of counsellors can also be accessed on the website.

Newham Asian Women's Project
661 Barking Road
London
E13 9EX
Telephone: 0208 472 0528
Helpline: 0208 552 5524

info@nawp.org
www.nawp.org

NAWP specialises in working with women suffering domestic violence. They also provide a wide range of confidential advice and support services for Asian women including counselling in English and Mother Tongue languages. They aim to raise awareness of issues around self-harm for young Asian women and offer support groups.

Mental Health User / Survivor Organisations

Hearing Voices Network
C/o 91 Oldham Street
Manchester
M4 1LW
Telephone: 0161 834 5768

hearingvoices@care4free.net
www.hearing-voices.org

HVN is a network of people who hear voices, relatives, carers and workers who work towards gaining a better understanding of the experience of hearing voices and seeing visions and reducing ignorance and anxiety about these issues.

UKAN - United Kingdom Advocacy Network
The Information Worker
UKAN
Volserve House
14-18 West Bar Green
Sheffield
S1 2DA
Telephone: 0114 272 8171
Contact: Liz Skelton

liz.ukan@btconnect.com

UKAN is a co-ordinating network for user-led advocacy groups, a mental health user led and run network of 270 groups.

Survivors Poetry
Diorama Arts Centre
34 Osnaburgh Street
London
NW1 3ND
Telephone: 0207 916 5317

survivor@survivorspoetry.org.uk

This group organises publications, workshops and performances by and for any survivors of mental distress in the broadest sense.

MINDlink
MIND
Granta House
15-19 Broadway
Stratford
London
E15 4BQ

Contact the address above for details of your local MIND Association or other mental health contacts for service users or professionals. MINDlink has a database of survivor-trainers on a wide variety of subjects.

Newsletters

The Cutting Edge - A Newsletter for Women Living with Self-Inflicted Violence The Cutting Edge
P.O. Box 20819
Cleveland
Ohio 44120
USA

This is a forum for women living with self-inflicted violence and their friends. To subscribe contact the above address.

Self-Injury Forum - A Newsletter for people working with people who self-harm
Self-Injury Forum
C/o The Basement Project
PO Box 5
Abergavenny
NP7 5XW

The Self-Injury Forum is a national network for workers and organisations that work with people who self-harm. Their aims are to promote good practice and to provide support for workers. There is an annual subscription of £20.00 and a quarterly newsletter is produced.

Pen-Friend Network

SASH - Survivors of Abuse and Self-Harming
SASH
20 Lackmore Road
Enfield
Middlesex
EN1 4PB

sashpen@aol.com

SASH is a pen-friend network that offers support and friendship on a one to one basis, in writing. Contact the above address for details.

NSPCC - Helpline: 0800 800 500
This is a free 24-hr helpline for abused children, families and survivors. NSPCC also has information and local resources.

Childline - Helpline: 0800 1111
Childline is a 24-hr helpline for children and teenagers.

Youth Access
1-2 Taylors Yard
67 Alderbrook Road
London
SW12 8AD
Telephone: 0208 772 9900

admin@youthaccess.org.uk

Youth Access provide information and referral to services for young people around the UK. These are services providing information, advice and counselling specifically for young people aged 11 to 25 years.

Offcentre
Hackney Young People's Counselling Service
25-27 Hackney Grove
London
E8 3NR
Telephone: 0208 985 8566

info@offcentre.org.uk
www.offcentre.org.uk

Offcentre provides free and confidential counselling for survivors of self-harm and sexual abuse for males and females aged between 13 and 25 years, living, working or studying in Hackney.

Trust for the Study of Adolescence
23 New Road
Brighton
East Sussex
BN1 1WZ
Telephone: 01273 693311

info@tsa.uk.com
www.tsa.uk.com

This is a research organisation that produces books and tapes for parents and professionals. It has information on adolescent self-harm and suicide.

Young Minds Parent's Information Service
102-108 Clerkenwell Road
London
EC1M 5SA
Helpline: 0800 018 2138 - Monday and Friday 10am - 1pm & Tues, Weds, Thurs 1pm - 4pm

enquiries@youngminds.org.uk
www.youngminds.org.uk

The Young Minds Parent's Information Service is a telephone service providing information and advice for anyone with concerns about the mental health of a child or young person. Young people can also phone for information on self-harm.

Publications for Young People

"What's the Harm?" - a book for young people who self-harm
Available from:
The Basement Project
P.O. Box 5
Abergavenny
NP7 5XW
Price: £3.50
This publication includes such topics as:

• Self-injury and self-harm - the facts
• Understanding Yourself
• Staying Safe
• Things to do for yourself
• Getting Help

"Hurting Inside" - a book for young people who have been abused, hurt or neglected
Available from:
The Basement Project
P.O. Box 5
Abergavenny
NP7 5XW
Price: £3.50
This book aims to help young people tackle difficulties they may have as a result of physical, sexual or emotional abuse or neglect. It sets out to help them:

• Make sense of their distress and its effects on their lives
• Explore safe ways of expressing and coping with their feelings
• Find support for themselves
• Tackle shame, self-blame and low self-esteem
• Make positive changes in their own lives

Survivor-Produced and Survivor-Researched Resources and Training Material

"Working with People who Self-Injure" by Lois Arnold - Training Pack
Available from: Bristol Crisis Service for Women
P.O. Box 654
Bristol
BS99 1XH
Price: £70.00
Developed through the extensive work of BCSW, the pack is designed to be used flexibly in one or two day workshops in a variety of settings. It begins with some background about self-injury, which gives useful information about the issue and sets out the approach on which the training is based.

"Self-Harm" - A Resource Pack
Available from: The Basement Project
P.O. Box 5
Abergavenny
NP7 5XW
Price: £89.00
A comprehensive pack of materials on self-harm, suitable for use in organisations of all kinds. Includes:
· A complete programme for staff training, with exercises, handouts and notes for trainers
· A workshop for individuals who self-harm, with creative activities and notes for facilitators
· Exercises for self-harm awareness-raising sessions, with notes
· Video on self-harm: "Visible Memories"
· Posters and leaflets
· Full set of five books on self-harm: Making Sense of Self-Harm, What's the Harm?, The Self-Harm Help Book, Working with Self-Injury, New Strength in Numbers.

"New Strength in Numbers"
Available from: The Basement Project
P.O. Box 5
Abergavenny
NP7 5XW
Price: £5.50
A practical guide to group work with people in distress, with special sections on groups for survivors and for those who self-harm. The book addresses the many issues to be thought about in running successful groups, and suggests creative ways of working with common themes which may arise.

"Working with Self-Injury; A Practical Guide" by Lois Arnold & Anne Magill
Available from:The Basement Project
P.O. Box 5
Abergavenny
NP7 5XW
Telephone: 01873 856524
Price: £5.50
This is a handbook providing information and help for those in all settings working with people who self-injure. It deals with many of the questions and dilemmas which cause most concern.

"Lifting The Lid" - A Handbook for Workers
Available from: The Basement Project
PO Box 5
Abergavenny
NP7 5XW
Price: £5.50
This book will help workers understand the effects of past childhood abuse on individuals and to identify ways in which they can help. It answers many questions of concern to those working in various settings.

"Getting It Right"- A Guide to Creating a Self-Harm Policy
Available from: The Basement Project
PO Box 5
Abergavenny
NP7 5XW
Price: £10.00
Having a written policy helps organisation to provide a consistent, well thought-out service to people who self-harm and supports staff in working effectively and confidently. This guide takes you step-by-step through the process of devising a policy, raising many issues you need to consider. The guide can help all types of organisation to create a policy, which meets their particular needs and circumstances.

"Making Sense of Self-Harm"
Available from: The Basement Project
PO Box 5
Abergavenny
NP7 5XW
Price: £3.50
A straightforward, readable guide which looks sensibly at the questions which most trouble people who encounter self-harm. Useful for workers, friends, families, supporters and all service users.

Publications written for People who Self-Harm

"The Hurt Yourself Less Workbook"
Available from: National Self-Harm Network
P.O. Box 7264
Nottingham
NG1 6WJ
Price: £10.00 for existing NSHN members
£12.50 for those who identify themselves as people who self-harm
£25.00 professionals and organisations
This is a workbook written by people who self-injure, for people who self-injure. It has many exercises to explore self-harm and how your life may be affected by it. It aims to help you understand it better and to be kinder to yourself.

"Cutting the Risk"
Available from: National Self-Harm Network
P.O. Box 7264
Nottingham
NG1 6WJ
Price: £5.00 Service Users/members, £10.00 all others, £15.00 outside UK
Cutting the Risk offers frank answers to painful questions about self-harm. Written by survivors and professionals attending the groundbreaking risk reduction conferences organised by the National Self-Harm Network, Cutting the Risk is an essential resource for those living with self-harm.

"The Self-Harm Help Book" by Lois Arnold & Anne Magill - a book for people who self-harm
Available from: The Basement Project
P.O. Box 5
Abergavenny
NP7 5XW
Price: £5.50
Containing practical ideas based on the experience of those who self-harm, this book aims to help individuals:
· Understand themselves and their self-harm
· Develop ways of dealing with their experiences and feelings
· Build up their self-esteem and inner resources
· Have more choices about self-harm
This book will also be a valuable resource for workers and supporters who want to help individuals in a respectful and empowering way.

"Self-Harm and the Social Work Relationship" by Miranda Frost
Published by: Social Work Monographs
University of East Anglia
Norwich
NR4 7TJ

"Who's Hurting Who? Young People, Self-Harm and Suicide" by Helen Spandler
Available from: 42nd Street
Second Floor, Swan Buildings
20 Swan Street
Manchester
M4 5JW
Telephone: 0161 832 0170
Price: £10.00 + £1.00 p&p (£5.00 service users)
This is a report based on the findings of a long-term study of the 42nd Street project.

"Vicious Circles" by Diane Harrison
Available from: Good Practices in Mental Health
380-384 Harrow Road
London
W9
Price: £14.99
"Vicious Circles" is an exploration of women and self-harm in society.

"Growing up Young, Asian and Female in Britain - A Report on Self-Harm and Suicide"
Available from: Newham Asian Women's Project
661 Barking Road
London
E13 9EX
Telephone: 0208 472 0528
Price: £10.00
This is a report based on a study at NAWP exploring the issues around self-harm for young Asian women. By listening to the voices of this diverse group of women it suggests ways of improving service provision to meet their needs.

"Visible Memories" - a film about Self-Injury
Available from: MIND Publications
15-19 Broadway
London
E15 4BQ
www.mindincroydon.org.uk
Price: £40.00
This video (running time 30mins) allows people who self-injure to describe their experiences. They tell us some of the reasons why they self-harm and which approaches they find helpful or unhelpful. The film shows examples of good practice in statutory and voluntary agencies. Setting self-injury in a more general context of self-harm, it argues that such behaviour can be a valid coping mechanism for dealing with internal emotional distress. There is thus a challenge for those who do not self-injure to come to terms with their own feelings when relating with those who do. Details of this video and an order form for purchasing it can also be found on the Croydon MIND website (see above for website address).

This resource list is compiled by: The National Self-Harm Network, PO Box 7264, Nottingham, NG1 6WJ

Eating Distress Associations

NIWE Eating Distress Service
Room 6
1 Pink Lane
Newcastle-upon-Tyne
NE1 5DW
Telephone: 0191 221 0233 - Mon to Thurs 9am - 3pm
www.niwe.org.uk

NIWE Eating Distress Service offers a telephone contact point at which women can talk about their use of food and how it makes their lives difficult. It also facilitates group work for women, supporting them in exploring their eating problems and their opportunities for change. This resource offers training to other workers supporting people with eating difficulties and it is also a source of information about local and national service provision for eating problems and related issues. They also provide an awareness raising service for professionals working with children and young people (The Alpha Project) and they are currently involved in development work with black and ethnic minority communities in the North East.

The Advocacy Project
Contact: Helen
The Advocacy Project
P.O. Box 31
Middlesborough
Cleveland
TS4 2JJ
Advocacy Line: 01642 244771
Counselling Line: 01642 225787

The Advocacy Project offers support to women currently in crisis. They offer help with issues around sexual violence, self-harm and eating distress. They provide face to face counselling, counselling over the phone, support groups, self-help groups and advocacy. They run a self-help group for women suffering from eating distress on the 3rd Thursday of each month. They also run awareness raising sessions for those who work with women.

Eating Disorders Association (EDA)
EDA
First Floor
Wensum House
103 Prince of Wales Road
Norwich
Norfolk
NR1 1DW
Local call rate: 0845 634 1414-Mon to Fri
Local call rate: 0845 634 7650-Mon-Fri 4pm-6.30pm
Youth Helpline: 01603 765050-Mon-Fri 5pm-6pm
Adult Helpline: 01603 621414-Mon to Fri 9am-6.30pm
Admin Line: 01603 619090

info@edauk.com
www.edauk.com

EDA offers support and advice to sufferers of anorexia and bulimia and their families and friends. They have a national network of self-help groups and contact addresses. They produce a quarterly magazine and a publications list and they offer a mailing service.

Disfigurement

Disfigurement Guidance Centre
P.O. Box 7
Cupar
Fife
KY15 4PF
Telephone: 01337 870281
www.dgc.org.uk \ www.skinlaserdirectory.org.uk

This organisation gives support to patients and their families, advice on camouflage and natural aid techniques and acts as an information and research centre. For a publications list send an S.A.E.

Changing Faces
1-2 Junction Mews
Paddington
London
W2 1PN
Telephone: 0207 706 4232

info@changingfaces.co.uk
www.changingfaces.co.uk

Changing Faces provides information, individual help and support to all those directly or indirectly affected by facial disfigurement.

British Association of Plastic Surgeons
Royal College of Surgeons
35-43 Lincoln Inn Fields
London
WC2A 3PN
www.baps.co.uk

Contact this address for information about plastic surgery.

Consult your GP for an NHS referral to a plastic surgeon for advice on surgery and scarring. Your GP can also refer you to a Red Cross cosmetician for advice on camouflage make-up for scars.

General Resources

Cruse Bereavement Care
Cruse House
126 Sheen Road
Richmond
Surrey
TW9 1UR
Telephone: 0208 939 9530

info@crusebereavementcare.org.uk
www.crusebereavementcare.org.uk

Cruse Bereavement Care exists to promote the well being of bereaved people and to enable anyone suffering a bereavement caused by death to understand their grief and cope with their loss. Cruse Bereavement Care offer free information, advice, support and counselling to bereaved people. They also offer support, information, training and publications to organisations and individuals caring for bereaved people.

Depression Alliance
35 Westminster Bridge Road
London
SE1 7JB
Telephone: 0207 633 0557

info@depressionalliance.org
depressionalliance.org

The Depression Alliance provides information, support and understanding to anybody affected by depression. The services they offer include a national network of self-help groups, correspondence schemes, publications and membership services.

NHS and Voluntary Sector Services for people who self-injure Crisis Recovery Unit
Contact: Tracy Evans
Ward Administrator
Fitzmary 1
Bethlem Royal Hospital
Monks Orchard Road
Beckenham
Kent
BR3 3BX

Tracy.Evans@slam-tr.nhs.uk
Telephone: 0208 776 4273

This is an in-patient unit for individuals who persistently self-harm which works along the lines of a Therapeutic Community. It takes countrywide referrals. The Crisis Recovery Unit also provides training and addresses difficulties for users and staff working together with issues around self-harm.

Accident and Emergency Departments
These may have a 'psychiatric liaison nurse' available Monday to Friday 9.00am - 5.00pm. They are available to people attending A&E with self-injury. Other departments may also have 'deliberate self-harm' social workers as a part of their service, again, usually during office hours. These professionals may offer a few counselling sessions or referrals. If you wish to see one of these, inform the triage nurse when you arrive at A&E.

Samaritans - Helpline: 08457 90 90 90
The Samaritans offer a 24hrs a day crisis line.

Crisis Intervention Services and Crisis Houses
These vary widely. Many areas are covered by neither. Crisis intervention services are usually run by Health Authorities and are multidisciplinary (i.e. Psychiatrist, Approved Social Worker and GP).
Crisis Houses, which offer short-term admission as an alternative to psychiatric admission, are run by voluntary and statutory agencies but vary in their approach to and acceptance of people who self-injure. Be aware that some projects require individuals to adhere to a 'contract' whereby the individual promises not to injure themselves. Failure to comply has resulted in having some people have all support withdrawn and asked to leave. It is best to ask about the policy on self-injury before using any service.

Local Mental Health Lines
Check your local telephone directory for details.
Nationally there are very few services that are for people who self-injure. Ask your GP to find out what services exist in your area. (Some health professionals, including psychotherapists, are reluctant to offer support to people who self-injure).

Rights
MIND Legal Information Line
Telephone: 0208 519 2122 ext.284 Mon, Weds, Fri 2pm - 4.30pm

This number is for legal advice concerning psychiatric treatment. Mind offers written advice outside of the hours shown.

If you want to have access to your medical notes or make a complaint about your treatment (such as attitude or refusal of treatment on the grounds of self-infliction), contact your local Community Health Council. Your local telephone directory will list their number.

You can also complain in writing directly to the Chief Executive or the Complaints Manager of a hospital Trust. The hospital switchboard will give names and addresses to write to. Likewise, you can contact the Access to Health Records Manager directly and request an application form.

Please let the National Self-Harm Network know if you are refused medical treatment on grounds of self-infliction or are subjected to punitive treatments - the Network is monitoring these practices.

DEPRESSION - PLACES FOR MORE INFORMATION AND SUPPORT

NHS Online Depression
Part of the NHS Direct Online website, offering a practical guide to depression. NHS Direct also run a nurse-led telephone helpline, giving confidential healthcare advice and info.
Tel: 0845 46 47 (charged at local rates, open 24 hours, 7 days a week).
http://cebmh.warne.ox.ac.uk/cebmh/

Royal College of Psychiatrists
Factsheets about depression, including causes and effects, and types of help available. 17 Belgrave Square,London SW1X 8PG.
Tel: 020 7235 2351
http://www.rcps.ac.uk

Mind
For info on mental health issues and treatments. Mind Infoline is their confidential telephone helpline, giving support to anyone worried about their own or others' mental health problems.
Tel: 08457 660 163(charged at local rates, open Monday to Friday 9.15am to 5.15pm).
http://www.mind.org.uk

Depression Alliance
Charity offering help to people with depression, run by sufferers themselves. Website contains practical info about depression, as well as details of Depression Alliance campaigns and local groups.
35 Westminster Bridge
Road, London SE1 7JB
Tel: 020 7633 0557
http://www.depressionalliance.org.uk

Fellowship of Depressives Anonymous
A national mutual support group for people suffering from depression
Box FDAI c/o Self-Help Nottingham
Ormiston House
32-36 Pelham Street
Nottingham
NG1 2EG
Tel: 01702 433 838

Association for Post Natal Illness
Provides information and offers one to one support from mothers who have been through postnatal depression as well.
25 Jerdan Place
Fulham
London
SW6 1BE
Tel: 020 7386 0868
http://www.apni.org

Depression Group Mixed Gay
Meets fortnightly on Mondays in London.
Tel: 020 7633 0557

BBC Online Suicide
Part of the BBC's mental health website, offering advice if you are thinking about suicide, or if someone you know has discussed suicide with you.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/mental/emotional_suicide.shtml

RESOURCES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

ChildLine
Confidential helpline for children and young people in trouble or danger. They take calls from teenagers as well as children, and can give you comfort, advice and support on anything that’s troubling you including abuse, bullying, mental health, drinking or drugs, relationships and problems in school. Their website has info on a range of issues and problems.
Tel: 0800 1111 (calls are free except to some mobiles, open 24 hours, 7 days a week).
http://www.childline.org.uk/

Youth Access
Confidential telephone information service which can put you in touch with local contacts for mental health counselling, advice and information.
Tel: 0208 772 9900 (charged at national rates, open 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday).
Or you can email them at yaccess@dircon.co.uk.

Calm
Home of Calm the ‘Campaign Against Living Miserably’. Aimed at raising awareness of depression among young men (especially in Manchester, Merseyside, Cumbria and Bedfordshire). Website gives info on the Calm campaign, plus games, links and an e-zine. Also run a confidential helpline for any young men worried about mental health issues, or feeling depressed.
Tel: 0800 585 858 (calls are free except to some mobiles, open 7 days a week, 5 pm to 3 am).
http://www.thecalmzone.net/

The Site depression pages
Pages on depression at The Site (website for young adults) giving info on depression, treatments, and feeling suicidal. The website also has a range of message boards.
http://www.thesite.org/info/health/depression/

Youth2Youth
Telephone, email and online chat helpline run by young people for young people. The website has a library of problems that young people have sent in. Their telephone helpline is staffed by specially trained young people aged 16-21 who can give confidential advice and support to anyone under 19 on issues like mental health, relationships, sex and self image.
Tel: 0208 896 3675. (Charged at national rates, but they can call you back. Open Monday and Thursday evening from 6.30pm to 9.30pm.) Also have an email help service, plus a chat room open the same hours as the helpline.
http://www.youth2youth.co.uk/

@ease
Interactive, user-friendly mental health website for young people who are under stress or worried about their thoughts and feelings. Also has a message board.
http://www.rethink.org/at-ease/