Learn why it is hard to talk about self-harm and how this links to risk levels as well as what strategies are used to support an individual who self-harms.
What is self-harm? What are examples of direct and indirect self-harm? What types of behaviour can be expressed as a form of direct self-harm? What are the different types of warning signs that an individual may be self-harming? What the difference is between self-harm and a suicide attempt? Who is more at risk of self-harming behaviours? What types of functions are used to self-harm? What biological, psychological, and environmental factors can cause an individual to self-harm? What Mental Health issues and Mental Illnesses is self-harm often associated with? What can lead to an individual self-harming? What reasons/ life experiences might an individual have to self-harm? What is the cycle of self-harm? What to do when you find out a person is self-harming? How do you aid an individual who is self-harming/ showing self-harming behaviours? What needs to be considered in a safety plan?
Our Understanding Self-Harm course will help you to answer the questions above and more.
Emergency hospital admissions for intentional self-harm were higher in females than in males. In April 2023 to March 2024 the female rate was 149.6 per 100,000 (44,318 admissions), compared with 83.6 per 100,000 for males (23,532 admissions). (NHS, 2025).
Through our Understanding Self-Harm course, you will gain an understanding of the different substitutes there are instead of self-harming. You will learn different helping strategies used. You will learn how to stop or reduce someone from self-harming. You will learn how to manage the physical effect of self-harm. You will learn what a safety plan is and what is entailed within the plan. You will learn what the cycle of self-harm is and how it is useful. You will learn what a risk assessment is and what it is used for. You will learn the different risk factors there are within self-harm. You will learn the possible life experiences or reasons for why individuals’ self-harm. You will also learn who is more likely to self-harm and why.
What you'll learn.
- What self-harm is and how to recognise potential signs of self-harm.
- Understand the causes of self-harm.
- Be aware of possible triggers of self-harm.
- Recognise why it is hard to talk about self-harm and how this links to risk levels.
- Be aware of how to look after yourself.
- Gain knowledge of strategies to support someone who self-harms.
Who is Understanding Self-Harm Training for?
Our Understanding Self-Harm course is for everyone. Having this knowledge whether you work in a non-care or care sector, having this knowledge will help you to aid an individual who may be self-harming or who is showing self-harming behaviour.
What are the learning outcomes?
- Discuss what self-harm is.
- Discuss the potential causes of self-harm.
- Recognise potential signs of self-harm and identify possible triggers.
- Be able to identify why it is hard to talk about self-harm and how this links to risk levels.
- Demonstrate how to use a safety plan
- Develop knowledge, skills, and strategies to support someone who self-harms.
- Download course brochure
