Support groups and websites
We've put together our top support groups if you're looking for advice and information about self-harming and the issues that may be affecting your health and wellbeing.
National organisations
Bristol Crisis Service for Women (BCSW)
Aims to help women who harm themselves or who have some sort of emotional distress. The service runs a national helpline, self-help groups, and produces booklets and information on self-injury.
Helpline: 0117 925 1119
Email: TESS Email Service.
Text: 0780 047 2909
BUSList
An active messageboard of people from around the world to talk about self-harm.
Childline
The UK's free, 24-hour helpline for children in danger or distress. Trained volunteer counsellors comfort and advise children and young people when they need it most.
Helpline: 0800 1111
Connexions
Can help you with information and advice on issues relating to health, housing, relationships, careers, studying and money, as well as letting you know about activities you can get involved in.
Helpline: 0808 0013219
Email: Use this form.
Text: 07766 413219
Online advisor: Talk to someone online.
Chat room: Register for live chats.
DePaul UK
This is the largest national youth homelessness charity providing accommodation, training, family mediation, volunteering opportunities and resettlement support for young people in prison. Depaul works with around 4,000 young people each year, many of whom have experience of self-harm.
Tel: 0191 2526161
Email: Use this form.
42nd Street
Supports young people aged 13 to 25 that live in Manchester, Salford or Trafford, and are under stress or experiencing mental health problems, or know someone who is.
Helpline: 0161 832 0170
Email: theteam@fortysecondstreet.org.uk
Drop-in: If you live in Manchester, Salford or Trafford.
First Signs
Provides information and support to people of all ages affected by self-injury. First Signs is managed and led by people with personal experience of self-injury and aims to offer non-judgemental, non-directional advice and information.
Discussion board: Have your say.
Harmless
A user-led organisation that provides support, information, training and consultancy to people who self-harm, their friends and families and professionals.
Email: info@harmless.org.uk, or if you're a member send a private message.
Mental Health Foundation
This UK charity provides information, research and campaigns to improve services for anyone affected by mental health problems, whatever they are.
Discussion boards: Have your say.
National Self-Harm Network
This website is currently being re-vamped. The organisation aims to provide support to people who self-harm and the people affected by it.
Discussion boards: Have your say.
Nightline
A support and information service, run by students for students and open at night. Some Nightline services offer supplies, such as free condoms, pregnancy tests and attack alarms.
Helpline: Find your nearest Nightline.
Email/Text: More information here.
The Recovery Network (TRN)
A social networking website offering an online community of like-minded individuals. The network aims to help anyone who is affected directly or indirectly by an addiction or mild to moderate mental health problem, and to provide a safe environment for people looking for information, support and identification. Blogs: Read about other people's experiences.
YoungMinds
YoungMinds provides is a charity that aims to improve the emotional well being and mental health of children and young people.
Parents Helpline: 0808 802 5544
Local Advice Finder
You can also access services near to your home by using TheSite.org's Local Advice Finder.
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