SELF HARM

(The Inner Scream)

CLARE SOLE

It is thought that 10% of 15 and 16 year-olds in the UK has self-harmed, usually by cutting themselves. The most common reason is 'to find relief from a terrible situation'.

Self Harm is a means of communication for some people that are unable to put into words how they feel. It has been described by many as ‘an inner scream’. This talk will discuss the various forms of self harm that teenagers may have experienced and look at the reasons why.

Clare Sole is the House Manager of a Tertiary Addiction Unit in North London where she supports people with a variety of addictions, including Self Harm. During the talk she will share her experiences of managing clients who self harm as well as her own personal experience of self harming.

There is no such thing as a typical person who self harms. It can affect anyone of any age or background. Clare’s talk will cover some of the reasons people may self harm e.g poor body image, low self esteem, loneliness, or bullying to name just a few.

Some young people will harm themselves because they do not know how else to cope with the pressure from family, school and friends. Extreme feelings such as anger, rage, sadness, guilt, self hatred, or despair can build up over time. When the feelings become overwhelming or unbearable, self harm can seem like the only way to deal with them.

Self Harm can also be a means of self punishment or an attempt to gain some control over one’s life; usually people who self harm are ashamed and scared of what others people will think that they will often hide their self harm rather than draw attention to it. Self Harm gives a sense of control that can be missing elsewhere in a person’s life.

Self harm can only ever provide immediate, temporary relief; it never deals with the issue underlying the distress. However with support and appropriate care, many who have self harm do find alternative coping strategies that enable them to live their lives without needing to harm themselves again. 

Clare’s talk will include stories of those who have successfully overcome their self harming behaviour.