Support For People at Risk of Self Harm
Last Friday I attended an open day at the Zinnia Centre in Sparkhill, Birmingham where I met staff, volunteers and members of a support and action group for people who are at risk of self harm. The group is called SASH and meets every first tuesday of the month between 5.30 and 7.30pm.
The programme of forthcoming events includes a talk on Distraction techniques on 2nd June, 'Mind,body and soul' - alternative therapies to reduce self harm on 7th July and Good turn week - volunteering your way to happiness on 1st September.
To find out more about the SASH Forum please contact the Zinnia Centre on 0121 301 5700. You will need to check out whether you are eligible to attend the group beforehand (are you living in the right area...there may be a group in your own area).
The group have various resources around self-harm including an information pack full of guidance, information, contact details of support groups and coping systems and strategies.
Self harm is defined as "An intentional self poisening or self injury (such as cutting), irrespectove of the apparent purpose of the act".
The Information Pack goes on to say:
"Self harm is therefore a way of releasing and dealing with emotions, and includes the idea of punishing the bbody. This may be caused by many factors such as:
- past / present trauma
- low esteem - lack of confidence
- feelings of isolation - (agoraphobia)
- fear of being different or misunderstood
- lack of support, including lack of communication
For anyone who knows someone, a relative, friend or service user at risk of slef harming, the pack offers the following Methods for Help:
- Be open about self harm
- Offer advice and understanding
- Support, care and friendhsip
- Offer sources of help
- Show the person is not alone
- Offer the opportunity to share experiences - either in specialist group or 1 to 1
- Give direct answers
- Offer distraction techniques and work through these
- Building on trust (counsellor or psychiatrist)
For information from Birmingham and Mental Health Trust contact 0121 678 2000
As well as local groups such as the one based at the Zinnia Centre, SASH run a national support line on self harm matters on:
07805073590 or 078050735573
Other useful numbers include:
Childline
0800 1111
Samaritans
0845 90 90 90
Focusline (all issues regrading mental health)
0800 027 2127
Dosti Men's Group (Birmingham self harm support group)
0121 685 7120
There are also websites worth visiting for further information:
Source: Spaghetti Gazetti
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