Deliberate self harm
Deliberate self harm is not necessarily a prelude to suicide;
however it is a serious problem which can result in disability or
death regardless of the young person's intention. If a young person
is engaging in deliberate self harm it is important to assess their
risk of serious harm and/or suicide, and to provide the support and
encouragement they need in order to access any medical help they
require.
Suicidal ideation
People who feel suicidal or a desire to end their life may want
to do so in response to problems which seem unsolvable or
overwhelming.
For some it may remain just an idea, but for others it may
appear like a real alternative to a seemingly hopeless ongoing
situation (e.g. break ups, family or financial problems, substance
abuse). If a young person is expressing suicidal ideation it is
important to assess their risk, and if you believe they are at risk
of harming themselves, seek professional help
immediately.
Important risk factors to look for include:
- Do they have a plan?
- Do they have the means to carry out the plan?
- Have they attempted suicide in the past?
- Do they have family members or friends who have committed
suicide?
If there is an immediate risk it is important to ensure the
person is not left alone and that their access to any means of
harming themselves is removed until you are able to access
professional support.
Warning signs
Some warning signs of risk of suicide include:
- Signs of depression
- Recurring suicidal thoughts dreams or fantasies
- Signs of sadness and hopelessness
- Loss of interest in usual activities
- Loss of energy
- Changes in appetite or weight
- Changes in behaviour
- Change in sleep patterns
- Negative comments about themselves
- Previous suicide attempts
- Talking, writing or giving hints about suicide
- Clearing the air from past personal incidents
- Giving away personal possessions, and
- Checking and putting in order wills or insurance policies.
For resources you can use with your students check out the links
to fact sheets and young people's stories available on the
ReachOut.com website.
Suicide
ReachOut website
This section of the ReachOut website provides information on how
to seek help and personal stories from young people dealing with
suicide.
Read more
Sometimes I want to die
Fact sheet
This fact sheet gives you a range of coping strategies which you
can use when you're feeling suicidal or when things feel
hopeless.
Read more
Self harm
ReachOut website
People self-harm for a lot of different reasons and there's no
one reason why people do it. It's not just physical stuff like
cutting, it can also be hurting yourself on the inside or depriving
yourself of something. There are other ways of coping rather than
hurting yourself and the stuff here can help you work through your
problems and learn how to deal with them differently.
Read more
Self harm
Fact sheet
This fact sheet supplied by Orygen Youth Health Service in
Victoria, gives insight into the signs of self harm and how to deal
with it.
Read more