Are you the parent, partner, carer, relative,
friend ​of someone who self-harms?

​Finding out or being told that your loved one self-harms is guaranteed to shock you. The first thought in your mind is "why?" often followed by "it can't be!", "how did this happen?" and the classic "what did I do wrong?"

Being scared, worried and even disgusted is normal. How can they do that to themselves on purpose? No matter how you feel about it, try to remain calm. Overreacting will help nobody, it will only serve to push you and your loved one apart. What is usually kept hidden is now no longer a secret. For whatever reason and in whichever way, it's now out in the open. It could be that the person who self-harms is already devastated you found out - as well as embarrassed and scared about what will happen next - will expect the worst and at the same time hope for acceptance and understanding. They might have told you hoping for help and support. However you found out, there will be a lot of fear present. ​

Every person and every family is different. 

We support anybody affected by self-harm and we're here to support you too, to help you understand, help you accept, help you say and do the helpful things - which often aren't what you think they are!

"I joined Battle Scars about 6 months ago because my 15 year old daughter was self-harming. It was a very challenging time. Although she was seeing a therapist at CAMHS, I was very keen to join a support group as CAMHS did not offer the opportunity to network with other parents whose children were self-harming. Battle Scars support group offers the opportunity and provides a conducive environment to share thoughts and experiences about self-harming. Since joining, I am now able to freely talk about self-harming without any inhibitions. Also, hearing directly from parents whose children are self-harming candidly open up and share their experiences at the meetings has really helped me to come to terms with self-harming. We help each other in many ways unknowingly when we come together at the meetings and share our thoughts and experiences. A problem shared is a problem halved couldn’t be more true"