If a Child is Harming Themselves and/or Expressing Suicidal Thinking

The information and links below offer support to professionals when supporting children and young people who are harming themselves, or thinking about harming themselves.

Calderdale Open Minds (CAMHS)

If you are supporting a child or young person who are experiencing persistent or overwhelming feelings of unhappiness and they have tried other emotional health and wellbeing strategies and services which haven’t worked for them, then its advised you have a conversation about making a referral into Open Minds (CAMHS) who provide specialist mental health support for children and young people. 

• Age range: 5-18 years
• Contact details: 01422 300 001 or fill out this form
• If child or young person needs to speak to someone urgently then they can ring the out of hours support line before 8pm on 07385 399840, after 8pm on 01924 316830.
• Opening hours: Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm

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Mental health is everyone’s business and it’s vital that professionals working with children and young people are equipped with the knowledge and understanding to provide appropriate early intervention and signposting and know where and when to make referrals when things don’t improve. These two guides have been developed in partnership by mental health professionals, parents and carers and commissioners.

A guide for supporting children and young people who hurt or harm themselves:

A guide for supporting children and young people who are expressing suicidal thoughts:

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Self harm action plan: This action plan aims to help children and young people recognise what may trigger their self-harming, what their warning signs are and what they need to do on a daily basis to minimise their self-harming behaviours.

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Self-harm distraction techniques: Here are some distraction techniques that young people can use when they are feeling anger, fear, numb, shame, self-hatred and when they need control.

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Young People that Self-Harm: A Guide for School Staff 

This guide provides information for school staff about self-harm and its causes and effects. It contains quotes from parents with advice as well as evidence-based information and links to sources of help.

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Young Minds – No Harm Done

The project is aimed at young people who are self harming or at risk of self harming, their parents and the professionals working with them. As part of No Harm Done, a series of resource packs were created for young people, parents and professionals. To access the resource pack for parents please click here.

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How can I support someone who has self harmed?

You may have spotted someone’s self-harm rather than them telling you about it. The most important thing is to be there for someone, and to listen.

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Papyrus – Prevention of Young Suicide

Papyrus is a national charity for the prevention of young suicide. They deliver awareness and prevention training, provide confidential support and empower young people to lead suicide prevention activities in their own communities.

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West Yorkshire & Harrogate Suicide Bereavement Service

NHS England has provided funding for a suicide bereavement service across West Yorkshire, Harrogate & Craven. The project is run by Leeds Mind and informed by the Leeds Suicide Bereavement Service. The workers have their own personal experience of suicide bereavement. You can access support as an individual or work place. We provide 1:1 support and peer support groups.