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First Time Presenters Service
The project has continued to provide a valuable service to those who have presented at Derriford Hospital for the first time having deliberately self-harmed as the result of a crisis in their life, rather than a mental health problem. The project has managed to sustain its service despite a reduction in the funds available, and an increase in the volume of work coming in. There have been 55 referrals in the 12 months from November 1st 2003, although not all of these have taken advantage of the service. With referrals now coming from Accident & Emergency after a few hiccoughs, we are starting to see the project initial objectives coming to fruition.
For those with a more enduring problem with Self-harm, we run a Self-harm Support Group on a weekly basis, and whilst it is not intended to be a therapeutic group, members have found the group to be therapeutic and have generally reduced their incidence of self-harm.
The project has been providing training in self-harm to the Youth Enquiry Staff involved in the Social Inclusion Project. They have also worked together to provide a Self-Harm Support Group for 16-25 years olds held weekly on Youth Enquiry Service premises, which commenced on Tuesday 30th November 2004. The project will also be providing a resource for parents who wish to talk about their children’s self-harm and gain more understanding of how to deal with it.
The project also seeks to raise awareness of self-harm, and to this end holds one day training courses. This includes workshops, which are ‘in-house’ for Connexions, and Small House Homes. The offshoot of this is that we are also able to use some of the money raised to supplement the project. Accident and Emergency nurses are provided with 4 free places on each workshop and people who have self-harmed have commented on the huge improvement in the way they are treated at A&E.
Whilst this project continues to thrive, there is still much to be done. People are still dealing inappropriately with those who self-harm. There is much to be done in the education field to ensure that professionals, care workers and volunteers have the necessary range of skills and understanding of self-harm to undertake their duties effectively, with acceptance and compassion.
The media has reported huge rise in the numbers of the people who are self-harming.
This is the only project in the South West dealing with self-harm, with people travelling from Penzance in one direction and Taunton in the order, to attend workshops. The project has become a major source of advice and guidance for the people of Devon & Cornwall. It is essential that it continue with this vital work.
THE PLYMOUTH SELF- HARM SUPPORT GROUP
What is Deliberate Self-Harm (DSH)?
DSH is a deliberate non- fatal act… done in the knowledge that it was potentially harmful and in the case of a drug overdose, that the amount taken was excessive (Morgan 1979). It should also be defined as a discrete single act whose primary intention is damage. This is to differentiate DSH from substance misuse, eating disorders or body piercing or tattooing, where the actions are either cumulative or unintentional in any harmful effect.
Who is the service for?
The group is there to offer support to people for whom self- harm is an issue. People self-harm as a response to inner emotional pain and vary in the amount they self-harm. The group is available to people aged 18-65
Why a support group?
Members have found the group to be very supportive. Often it is the only opportunity they have to talk freely about their self- harming behaviour. For many, it is the only place where they feel safe. Members of the group are able to spend time with people who really do understand, i.e. The other members of the group. In the group there is total acceptance of self-harming as a coping mechanism.
Who runs the group?
The group is facilitated by Lori & Gareth who have wide experience of self-harm. They run Understanding Self-Harm Workshops to increase awareness of issues surrounding self- harm and also to increase their own personal knowledge, which can they be passed on to subsequent workshop attendees and group members.
How will this support help?
Just sharing your feelings regarding your self-harm can be enormously beneficial, resulting in a reduction in the feeling of isolation experienced by people who self- harm. It is also an opportunity to share alternative coping strategies.
What happens in the group?
Usually we talk about what sort of week a member has had and, if they have not self- harmed, investigating the strategy they used to survive. We look at other strategies such as relaxation and diversion, which may be helpful.
Will I stop Self- harming?
Most members of the group do reduce their self- harming. But until their underlying issues are addressed it is unlikely to stop completely. We try to access the help needed to address these issues and take a holistic approach to reducing self-harm.
Who can be referred?
Anyone who deliberately self- harms. The group is not suitable for everyone and it is therefore necessary to meet with the project co-ordinator to discuss whether the group is for you or not.
Confidentiality
Anything discussed during your support sessions is confidential, and will not be shared with anyone outside the team without your permission.
In certain instances, however, we may wish to break this confidentiality. These instances are:
- if children are thought to be at risk
- if it is thought you may cause harm to yourself or others
- in cases of acts of terrorism
How do I join the Support Group?
In the first instance contact the Project Co-ordinator who will arrange to meet with you to tell explain more about the group.
Contact: Gareth Bowen - Project Co-ordinator
Tel: 01752- 254004
01752- 512285 (Direct Line)