Self Harm
At Zest we recognise that there is an increasing problem with self-harm. This is a concern in terms of the financial costs to the health service, and, more importantly, because it is a reflection of the level of emotional pain that is part of life for many people. It is also a concern that despite the extent of this problem there is little understanding of the people who are self-harming. Evidence suggests that many people who self-harm have experienced traumatic life events. You may view extracts from Zest's training workshop in PDF format here.
Self-harming acts as a successful coping mechanism, which temporarily relieves both the emotional pain and the mental torture. It acts as a grounding device and at times provides an escape from difficult social circumstances. We view self-harm as an addiction, many people become dependent on it. It is therefore important to see the person behind the behaviour. The self-harming is a problem to be addressed but the underlying problems cannot be ignored.
What is Self-harm?
"Deliberate self-harm is a non-factal act, whether physical injury, drug overdose or poisoning, carried our with the knowledge that it was potentially harmful and in the excessive." (Platt et al 1988)
Self-harm is "Intentional self-poisoning or injury irrespective of the apparent reason" (NICE REPORT, 2004).
What the Statistics Say
- More 170,000 people a year seek treatment at A&E wards
- There are hidden statistics - many never present at A & E.
- Studies of 10,040 suicides who had contact with NHS found that 63% had history of self-harm.
- This is a correlation between self-harm.and suicide. An individuals is 100 times more likely to complete suicide in the year after an incident of self-harm.
- Self-harm is the most common factor preceding admission to psychiatric wards. Not mental illness/psychological distress.
- Repeating self-harm places considerable demands on all health services.