The Department of Health and Social Care is leading efforts to raise awareness about self-injury and self-harm, and explore alternative ways to cope with difficult situations and feelings.
 
Self-injury and self-harm occurs when people intentionally injure themselves, often by cutting, bruising, biting and hair pulling and is more common than many people realise. Self-injury can affect people of all ages at any time in their lives regardless of gender, age, sexual orientation, race, religion, or social background.
 
A website, www.gov.im/selfinjuryawareness, has been launched bringing together information, advice and tips on ways to cope with emotions and triggers that can lead to self-injury.
 
Julie Bennion, Specialist in Mental Health Promotion, explained: “Many people use self-injury as a way of coping with strong emotions or difficult circumstances, maybe because of anxiety, depression, stress, frustration, or when they feel out of control.
 
“Sometimes people find it hard to manage and express their feelings in appropriate ways. Most people who self-injure are trying to change how they feel and will go to great lengths to keep feelings and injuries secret.
 
“It is important to remember that there is support available, which can help to explore and learn new ways of coping.
 
“If you are worried about someone or yourself wanting to self-injure, talking with a trusted friend or relative can help. If this is too difficult, try talking to your GP, nurse or teacher, they will not judge and will help you consider other alternative ways of coping.”
 
Approximately 530 people, both children and adults, attended Noble’s Hospital Emergency Department following an episode of self-injury in 2014.