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Hub of hope to help with mental health support in your area that was mentioned in the session 

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Hub of hope to help with mental health support in your area that was mentioned in the session 

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Apps to help with anxiety and self-injury (harm) DBT used in this app

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Apps to help with anxiety and self-injury (harm) DBT used in this app

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Two Helpful Apps for Anxiety and Self~Harm

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Learn more about these great apps and how to get them!

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There might be affiliate links on this page, which means we get a small commission of anything you buy. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Please do your own research before making any online purchase.
Dealing with self-harming tendencies is no joke. It requires attention and is something you shouldn't brush off lightly.

But what exactly should you do if you start having such thoughts?

How do you keep from harming yourself?

In this article, we have gathered the seven best self-harm tracker apps and websites that can help you with this mental health issue. These apps are primarily designed to support you in dealing with your thoughts and emotions.

Let's check them out!

The distrACT app is an award-winning self-care app that supports people who have self-harming and suicidal tendencies. It provides its users with access to general health information, including advice on how to prevent self-harm.

What is most appealing about this app is that its features are easy to use and the interface is simple to understand. It is also supported by UK health professionals who have experience helping people people with self-harm tendencies.

The NHS even recommends the app and has included it in their Apps Library. The app also won the British Medical Association Patient Information Award in 2019.

The Calm Harm app compares self-harm to a wave. They say that it "feels the most powerful when you start wanting to do it." The developers created the app to help people with self-harm tendencies "ride the wave" instead of trying to completely prevent it.

There are several things to do on this app. You can find comfort, distraction, stress relief (release), and an outlet (by expressing yourself). There is even an option to do something "random" in case you don't know how to start healing. Other features allow you to conduct breathing exercises, meditate, and manage your emotions.

The app essentially provides you with what its name suggests-calm. As with our first entry, it is also backed by science and developed by clinical psychologists who focus on dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).
For iOS
Cove calls itself the "musical journal for your mental health." As you probably know, music therapy is one of the best ways to relieve stress and tension. It helps calm the nerves to prevent any self-harm and suicidal thoughts.

The app allows its users to create their own music, depending on their mood. The moods available on the app include calm, playful, gentle, and many others. The developers believe that expressing emotions through music is a safe way to take care of your mental health.

The Cove app was called by The Guardian "one of the best mental health apps" currently on the market. It is also trusted by leading health organizations such as the NHS, Parkinson's UK, and Good Thinking.

My Possible Self proudly claims that all of its content is clinically certified by Priory Healthcare, which uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as its foundation. The app takes a holistic approach to mental health by allowing you to manage your anxiety levels and improve your sleep patterns.

The app also offers special features that provide you with visual and mental activities, helpful tips and advice, and beneficial stress relief exercises. It also has a journal section where you can record your emotions, actions, and progress.

Buzzfeed praises the app by saying that it is like "having a pocket therapist." Hello Magazine states that it is the "best app for you" if you are concerned about your mental health. You can also find the app in the NHS Apps Library.

MeeToo "makes it easy to talk about difficult things." It is sometimes difficult to talk about things that you don't want others to know about you, as you may be afraid of being judged and bullied. But with this app's anonymous feature, you are able to freely express your thoughts and emotions. The interface allows you to have an anonymous conversation with other people who are in the same age group and who are going through similar experiences.

MeeToo is an award-winning app that promises a safe space to discuss difficult topics.

Feeling Good is a great app if you want to feel good about yourself. It provides you with "positive mental training" that nourishes your mind and soul with positive thoughts and emotions. Its goal is to help you recover from stress, anxiety, and depression.

This app is actually used by over 2,000 doctors and nurses to help their patients. It has helped around 80,000 patients become more confident and resilient. With its Olympic sports psychology technique, it promises to change your lifestyle in a positive manner.

The app is available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store, with a relatively good rating. It has a lot of positive feedback from users all over the world.

I Am Sober is one of the leading apps for self-harm prevention. As its name indicates, it tracks your sobriety level related to alcohol and other types of substances. While you track your sobriety, it also helps you build new habits and motivates you to strive harder and keep moving forward.

Some of its most notable features include a daily pledge tracker, sobriety calculator, milestone tracker, and withdrawal timeline. You can even customize your experience by setting reminders, category motivations, and end-of-day summaries. If used correctly, the app can help change your lifestyle while catering to your specific needs.

The app offers a premium subscription called Sober Plus where you can create a group your peers can join to talk about things like recovery. You can also lock your profile via TouchID or FaceID.

Take some time out of your busy schedule and check out a few of these apps. They are quite helpful if you are having self-harming thoughts and tendencies. We hope that these apps can help keep you safe and healthy.

It is not wrong to feel some negativity every once in a while, but the important thing is not to dwell on it. You are a fighter. Be strong and remember to love yourself!

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7 Self-Harm Tracker Apps & Websites for 2022

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Dealing with self-harming tendencies is no joke. It requires attention and is something you shouldn't brush off lightly. But what exactly should you do if you start having such thoughts? How do you keep from harming yourself?

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Your mental health and wellbeing can directly affect your quality of life. It is therefore important that you pay extra attention to your mental wellbeing. Issues like self-hate, depression, self-harm, and suicide can result from untreated mental health conditions.

In addition to social media and other means of communication, there are specialized, professionally-approved apps that are designed to keep you grounded when negative thoughts, urges to self-harm, and suicidal thoughts overwhelm you. Let's check them out.

1. distrACT

distrACT is an app approved by the NHS in the UK that is designed to help you overcome self-harm and suicidal thoughts. The app provides you easy, quick, and discreet access to information provided by doctors and experts in self-harm and suicide prevention.

If you have been feeling the urge to self-harm or battling suicidal thoughts, distrACT can help you to better understand why you feel the way you feel. It will also help you to manage your symptoms and recommend safer alternatives, plus gives you access to professional care.

Inside distrACT's ChillZone, you can find uplifting art, books, poems, quotes, stories, films, music, and online videos carefully curated to help you feel better. distrACT is available to person's who are 17 years and older.

2. Calm Harm

The urge to self-harm is like a wave and can feel overwhelming. When it comes, an app like Calm Harm can help you to ride it out. It is an app specifically designed to help you resist or manage the urge to self-harm.

Based on the principles of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), Calm Harm employs talking therapy which has been proven to be effective in helping people with mood disorders.

Just like distrACT, Calm Harm features activities and tasks designed to help you distract your mind from urges to self-harm so that you can manage or ride out your wave in a more positive way.

3. Cove

Music has been proven to have a calming effect. This is the reason why many self-harm and suicide prevention apps feature different forms of music therapy. Cove lets you journal your moods via music.

Cove allows you to create and curate personalized mood music that captures how you're feeling per time instead of expressing them with words in a journal or diary. This is especially important if you lack words to express how you feel.

Cove lets you create mood music by choosing from six different moods, such as calm, struggling, longing, playful, clouded, and gentle. You can store the music you create this way in a private journal to which you can append your personal thoughts and tags. Cove is NHS-approved and is only currently available on iOS.

Download: Cove for iOS (Free)

4. WorryTree

Don't Worry, Be Happy is a popular song by Bobby McFerrin that hints at what it feels like to be dealing with worry. Just like Bobby's hit song, WorryTree is designed to help you manage your anxiety and live worry-free.

WorryTree works based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). It allows you to record, track, monitor, and manage your worries effectively whether they are about work, business, love, family, money, or health.

The app asks you about your current worries, helps you decide if you can control or accept them, offers suggestions on how to distract yourself, and allows you to create a personalized action plan to help you manage your worries.

5. ThinkNinja

One of the reasons why many young people succumb to self-harm and suicide is the feeling of helplessness and being overwhelmed that comes with it. ThinkNinja can help your young ones to build up their mental stamina.

It helps your 10 to 18-year-olds to learn about mental health, develop emotional wellbeing, and help them to build resilience. These skills can be life-saving when they are confronted with tough times and the uncertainties of life.

Inside the app's Skill Zone, your children can learn breathing techniques, and how to identify and manage their emotions inside the My Challenges section. There's also a section to help them unwind with selected audio recordings and mood music to help release tension.

6. MyPossibleSelf

When your thoughts and feelings get out of control, it can be difficult to be your best self. MyPossibleSelf is a mental health app that allows you to take control of your thoughts and feelings so that you can be your best self.

The app contains simple learning modules that help you to identify and manage your fears, anxiety, and stress. It also acts as a journal allowing you to record your feelings and track symptoms as well as triggers.

It contains different modules about building happiness and well-being, communicating clearly, increasing pleasurable activities, managing fear and anxiety, managing loss and major life changes, managing stress and overload, and more.

7. Stress & Anxiety Companion

Stress and anxiety are daily life occurrences for many. Learning how to manage your work-related stress can be a life-changer. Stress & Anxiety Companion app helps you to deal with your stress and anxiety on the go in a fun and easy way.

The app uses a selection of breathing exercises, relaxing music, and fun games to help you calm your mind and transform negative thought patterns that can harm your mental health.

The app is NHS-approved and is also based on CBT. Use it to identify your anxiety and stress triggers and transform harmful negative thoughts into positive thoughts which you can share with friends and family as feel-good photo cards.

8. MeeToo

Teenage years can be challenging and life-changing for both teens and their parents. If you have a teen who needs help with managing their mental health, MeeToo can be of significant help.

The app focuses on helping teenagers by providing a safe and secure forum where they can discuss issues that bother or affect them in an open and non-judgmental way.

Expert moderators and other teenagers share their advice and experiences with other teens who are experiencing challenges with relationships, friendships, bullying, depression, self-harm, and other mental health issues.

9. Feeling Good

If you are 18+, worried and stressed out about your mental health, concentration, and confidence, the Feeling Good app can help you to restore calm, concentration, confidence, and self-esteem.

Feeling Good also uses CBT, relaxation, and resilience-building techniques from sports to help you to boost your self-confidence, self-esteem, and create an overall positive feeling.

Feeling Good features four free audio tracks that combine mood music with coaching. There's also a 12 track Positive Mental Training program that helps to introduce, reinforce, and entrench positive mindsets that make you feel good and better about yourself. This feature is available as an in-app purchase.

Don't Succumb to Negative Thoughts and Self-Harm

All these apps can help you to regain control over your mental health in one way or the other and improve your quality of life. Identify which ones directly address your needs and take them out for a spin.

Whatever you do, do not go it alone, seek help from trained and qualified professionals and use these apps to help you master your thoughts and overcome urges to self-harm and suicidal tendencies.

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9 Essential Mental Health Apps to Prevent Suicide and Self-Harm

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Your mental health and wellbeing can directly affect your quality of life. It is therefore important that you pay extra attention to your mental wellbeing. Issues like self-hate, depression, self-harm, and suicide can result from untreated mental health conditions.

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Neath port talbot council ran a photography course, could see if they are running another one. click on the link below 

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Neath port talbot council ran a photography course, could see if they are running another one. click on the link below 

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Overview:

A 6 week after school programme to create a basic understanding of modern cameras and photographic techniques.

No. of participants:

6-8 pupils and 1-2 members of staff.

Schedule:-

Week 1:

A brief history of photography from the Camera Obscura through to more recent film cameras.

A hands-on look at pre-digital cameras.

A basic understanding of camera operation (shutter/aperture)

Week 2:

Quick quiz on camera modes.

Pupils will be asked to take no more than 5 photographs with a digital compact camera. (10mins)

Discuss "rule of thirds" photography technique and analysis of photographs taken earlier.

Weeks 3-6:

The basic four styles of photography (portrait, action, landscape and macro) will be covered utilising the inbuilt functions of the digital cameras. As some of these sessions are weather dependant, an accurate schedule cannot be offered in advance.

Photographic Styles
Portrait: Individual/group portraits featuring casual, posed and/or themed scenarios.
Action: Motion based photography with a focus on action sports and movement.
Landscape: Outdoor scenic photography around the school or its locality.
Macro: Close-up photography of everyday objects e.g. plants, animals, pencils, rubbers etc.

For further information Contact Us

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A 6 week after school programme to create a basic understanding of modern cameras and photographic techniques. 6-8 pupils and 1-2 members of staff. Week 1: A brief history of photography from the Camera Obscura through to more recent film cameras. A hands-on look at pre-digital cameras.

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Boxing club for ages 10+ in Neath Port Talbot 

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Boxing club for ages 10+ in Neath Port Talbot 

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Afan Spartan Amateur Boxing Club was established in 1997. Originally as Afan boxing club. The teaching is voluntary run by two quality experienced coaches Originally as Afan Amateur Boxing Club based in the Sandfields East Ward of Port Talbot South Wales. Now based at Church Street, Briton Ferry.

Afan Spartans Boxing Club is an autonomous voluntary sports club which is also affiliated to the WABA. The club is run exclusively by a small team of dedicated qualified boxing coaches and volunteers who give up their time freely to provide opportunities for local people. The Club pays a rental fee to use the facilities, with some small pockets of grant aid and general fundraising have purchased a practice ring and other essential equipment including punch bags, skipping ropes and boxing gloves.

Boxing training is known to have massive benefits on your physical health, you just need to put in the work. But, don't forget there other benefits of this training beyond the physical, it greatly helps with confidence, discipline, respect and boosts to your mental health & overall well-being

Come join our squad and see where the training can take you and become a tool for life.

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Afan Spartan Amateur Boxing Club was established in 1997. Originally as Afan boxing club. The teaching is voluntary run by two quality experienced coaches Originally as Afan Amateur Boxing Club based in the Sandfields East Ward of Port Talbot South Wales. Now based at Church Street, Briton Ferry.

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Andy's man club #itsoktotalk there is one starting in wrexham however they are all over the place 

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Andy's man club #itsoktotalk there is one starting in wrexham however they are all over the place 

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Our Club Locations | Andys Man Club | #ITSOKAYTOTALK

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support in relation to mental health and help lines for suicide 

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support in relation to mental health and help lines for suicide 

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There are services to support you and others you may be worried about. Talking about your worries and problems can make things easier.
Speak to someone if you're not okay

The C.A.L.L. Helpline
A dedicated mental health helpline for Wales, it can provide you with confidential listening and emotional support, and help you contact support that may be available in your local area. Call 0800 132 737 or text 'help' to 81066.

Mind Cymru Infoline
For information on types of mental health problems, where to get help, medication, alternative treatments and advocacy. Call 0300 123 3393, emailinfo@mind.org.uk or text 86463.

Samaritans Cymru
Offering a safe place for you to talk any time you like, in your own way - about whatever's getting to you. Call for free on 116 123 or emailjo@samaritans.org

Young suicide prevention society. HOPELINEUK 0800 068 4141 (Monday to Friday, 10am to 10pm, and 2pm to 10pm on weekends and bank holidays).

MEIC
Support for children and young people up to 25 years old open 8am to midnight, 7 days a week. You can contact them for free by phone 080880 23456, text 84001 and instant messaging on their website.

Citizens Advice
Provides advice on financial support and can signpost you to other agencies who may be able to help you - 03444 77 20 20 (9am to 5pm, Mon - Fri).

Explore more

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There are services to support you and others you may be worried about. Talking about your worries and problems can make things easier. Speak to someone if you're not okay The C.A.L.L. Helpline A dedicated mental health helpline for Wales, it can provide you with confidential listening and emotional support, and help you contact support that may be available in your local area.

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M.A.D Hikers - for mental health, anxiety and depression 

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M.A.D Hikers - for mental health, anxiety and depression 

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M.A.D Hikers - mental health, anxiety , depression

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M.A.D Hikers - mental health, anxiety , depression, Rhyl. 2,109 likes · 99 talking about this. M.A.D Hikers is a hiking group set up by childhood friends from North Wales. After seeing the impact...

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Men's shed somewhere to go be involved, talk etc 

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Men's shed somewhere to go be involved, talk etc 

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We support Men’s Sheds in the UK. Men’s Sheds are community workshops where men can create converse and connect.

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Declans den for young people with suicidal thoughts 

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Declans den for young people with suicidal thoughts 

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Free 12 week course that was mentioned in the session 

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Free 12 week course that was mentioned in the session 

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People across Wales can now access free online therapywithout needing to go through their GP.

People aged 16 and over experiencing mild to moderate anxiety, depression or stress can sign-up for a 12-week course of SilverCloud online therapy via their smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer.

We have launched a partnership with south Gwynedd based charity Tan y Maen to help more people access the courses.

The roll-out of direct access to online therapy for Wales' entire 16+ population recognises that people need immediate help in managing their mental health and wellbeing as the impact of COVID-19 continues to be felt, and reduces barriers to accessing this support.

To find out more about SIlverCloud please navigate to the information below or download our Self-Referral Guide.

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SilverCloud - Free online mental health therapy

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People across Wales can now access free online therapywithout needing to go through their GP. People aged 16 and over experiencing mild to moderate anxiety, depression or stress can sign-up for a 12-week course of SilverCloud online therapy via their smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer.

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Lifeline short film on self-injury (harm)

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Lifeline short film on self-injury (harm)

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Some slides from the session on the components of suicide 

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Some slides from the session on the components of suicide 

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Some slides from the session for the padlet

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Rambler groups walking groups around north wales for anyone just to get out of the house, meet new people etc 

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Rambler groups walking groups around north wales for anyone just to get out of the house, meet new people etc 

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Self injury (harm) clip about 8 minutes long

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Self injury (harm) clip about 8 minutes long

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Safeguarding for Mid-West Wales however, lots of support lines for suicide, mental health, also 7 minute briefing on many topics that help start conversations with young people 

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Safeguarding for Mid-West Wales however, lots of support lines for suicide, mental health, also 7 minute briefing on many topics that help start conversations with young people 

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Mid & West Wales Safeguarding Board Safeguarding children & adults

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Article about lack of support for families bereaved by suicide 

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Article about lack of support for families bereaved by suicide 

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By Sara Down-Roberts
BBC News

"I will never forget 7 January 2020, when the police came to the door to tell me that Caio, my son, had died by suicide," said Rhian Wyn.

"When the officer left, there was no mention of any support," she said.

Rhian and other families are calling for a support service for parents who have been bereaved by suicide. The Scottish government is funding a similar pilot scheme to help families over the next two years.

"We really need a support scheme similar to Scotland," said Rhian, from Pontrhydfendigaid, in Ceredigion.

The Welsh government has said it plans to publish new guidelines for the delivery of bereavement care, which should improve support for those bereaved by suicide.

"I will never forget that young policeman coming to the house around 21:30, informing me that Caio had died in Cardiff," Rhian told BBC Cymru Fyw.

"I'm a single mother and was living with our young daughters. It was a terrifying experience, I was screaming on the floor while the girls were sitting on the stairs.

"Soon the policeman had to leave and that was it.

"Then the police in Cardiff rang me during the early hours with a tick list.

"I had to answer numerous questions - did Caio have epilepsy, did he have this, did he have that? I was completely traumatised and so lonely."

She added: "We need constant support. You don't recover from losing a child. It's on my mind all day, every day."

'It was paralysing'

Amanda and Geraint Williams, from Aberystwyth, had a similar experience after their daughter Phoebe died in May 2019.

"This is really telling it as it is, the stark reality of a loss by suicide. The only people we saw were the two policemen who knocked on the door at 02:00 who told us Phoebe had died the way she had. They stayed for no longer than 15 minutes," Amanda recalled.

"At that moment we were rendered incapable of any competent action or rational thought, it was paralysing. And then that was it, they left. We saw nobody else at all and haven't since. We weren't even asked to give statements to the police.

"Thankfully we had each other."

Amanda added: "Those who have been bereaved by suicide become an at-risk group and need specialist practical support, not just in the immediate aftermath but in the many months after."

'Absolutely terrifying'

Getting support is vital, according to Siân Angharad Retter, from Tremain, near Cardigan.

Her brother Steffan, 26, took his own life in November 2018.

"It was an absolutely terrifying experience for me and my parents and it is so important to get support," she said.

"Soon afterwards, I and two others who had lost loved ones in similar circumstances formed the west Wales branch of LISS [Living in Suicide's Shadow].

"We are a group where everyone understands the pain of losing close relatives by suicide - the group gives us the opportunity to go out together and talk about experiences.

"Without support the whole process can be an extremely lonely experience."

The 2 Wish Upon a Star charity was founded in 2012 by Rhian Mannings following the sudden and unexpected death of her son George. Days later her husband Paul, 33, killed himself.

The charity has supported many families who have lost loved ones under the age of 25 - many of them by suicide.

In 2019, Ms Mannings petitioned the Welsh government to provide better support for families who unexpectedly lose their child or young adult.

Bereavement support grant

A Welsh government spokesperson said: "The loss of someone by suicide is tragic and individuals bereaved by suicide may have particularly complex feelings.

"We will shortly be publishing our national framework for the delivery of bereavement care in Wales.

"This will be supported by a £1m bereavement support grant, which will be available to third sector bereavement providers.

"As part of this work, the National Suicide Prevention Co-ordinator for Wales is also working with key agencies to develop specific guidance to improve the response and support for people bereaved by suicide."

Dyfed-Powys Police has been asked to comment. South Wales Police said a number of questions have to be asked after a sudden death.

More information on organisations that can offer support is available at BBC Action Line

More on this story

Related Internet Links

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.

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Suicide: Bereaved families in Wales plead for more support

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By Sara Down-Roberts BBC News "I will never forget 7 January 2020, when the police came to the door to tell me that Caio, my son, had died by suicide," said Rhian Wyn. "When the officer left, there was no mention of any support," she said.

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A few links with organisations to help support young people 

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A few links with organisations to help support young people 

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Support for Parents from Action For Children

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It's important that you also get support. Remember to be kind to yourself - parenting is different for everyone, and it's not always easy. Being able to work through your emotions will put you in a stronger position to help your child.

Try to speak to someone you trust about what's happening. You can also find strategies online to help you cope. Mind has advice on this.

If you need to speak to someone independent, call the NHS urgent mental health helpline. Or text 'Shout' to 85258 for 24/7 mental health text support. You may also want to talk to your GP about what you're experiencing. If you're in crisis, please call one of the helplines listed above.

Our parenting coaches are here to help with the day-to-day issues of parenting and how to support the wellbeing of your family in the longer-term. Our opening times are:

12.30pm - 7.30pm Monday

10.30am - 4.30pm Tuesday

9.30am - 4.30pm Wednesday

12.30pm - 7.30pm Thursday

9.30am - 4pm Friday

Visit our chat page to start a conversation. If our coaches aren't online, you can leave us a message and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.

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My child is having suicidal thoughts - Support for Parents from Action For Children

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It's important that you also get support. Remember to be kind to yourself - parenting is different for everyone, and it's not always easy. Being able to work through your emotions will put you in a stronger position to help your child. Try to speak to someone you trust about what's happening.

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Cruse helping supporting children bereaved by suicide 

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Cruse helping supporting children bereaved by suicide 

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Supporting children bereaved by suicide - Cruse Bereavement Support

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A child/young person bereaved through suicide is under enormous pressure. Here’s how a school can support children bereaved by suicide.

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Supporting children bereaved by suicide

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Skip to content

Watch the full video

Thinking of suicide?

Are you, or is a young person you know, not coping with life? For confidential suicide prevention advice contact HOPELINE247.

My whole way of thinking has changed. I feel positive about my future and the people around me. I'm now looking forward to the future and helping others just like me!

Thank you so much for the incredible support PAPYRUS and HOPELINE247 has given me. You helped me in that moment and it kept me alive.

I intend to continue to fundraise for and promote PAPYRUS. I am so proud and humbled to be involved with a wonderful charity, and to have received the support that I have.

Having been personally bereaved by suicide I understand the importance and need for our charity. I am surrounded by others who are as passionate as I am about saving lives.

* All feedback is provided by people who contact PAPYRUS. All feedback has full consent of the user and the user remains fully anonymous. Some feedback may have been adapted to keep the users anonymity.

Our latest news

Stay up to date with PAPYRUS; our news section is regularly updated with helpful advice and guidance, as well as information about our upcoming events and campaigns. If you have any questions or queries please get in touch.

Our upcoming events

Please see below some of our upcoming and exciting events including fundraisers and charity events we will be attending. For more information please get in touch.

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Papyrus UK Suicide Prevention | Prevention of Young Suicide

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PAPYRUS UK is a charity for the prevention of young suicide (under 35) in the UK | Call PAPYRUS HOPELINE247 on 0800 068 4141 Now

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criminal justice failing mental health - increase risk of suicide and self injure (harm) in prisons 

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criminal justice failing mental health - increase risk of suicide and self injure (harm) in prisons 

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Amajor new joint inspection published today (17 November 2021) has found poor support for people with mental health issues as they progress through the criminal justice system in England and Wales. Inspectors labelled the findings "disappointing" and said too little progress had been made since the last review in 2009. The inspection was conducted by:

HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services

HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate

HM Inspectorate of Prisons

HM Inspectorate of Probation

Care Quality Commission

Healthcare Inspectorate Wales.

Inspectors looked at more than 300 cases from six regions, interviewed 550 professionals, and heard from 67 people with mental health issues who had been through the criminal justice system. Their headline findings were:

Thousands of people with a mental illness are coming into the criminal justice system each year but their needs are being missed at every stage.

"Broken" system for sharing information between agencies, with confusion over data protection rules and incomplete/inaccurate records.

Shortage of services and long delays to access them - made worse by the pandemic.

Unacceptable delays in psychiatric reports for court and in transferring extremely unwell prisoners into secure mental health hospital beds for treatment.

Findings

The main findings of the report are summarised below.

Lack of a common approach

The lack of a common definition of mental ill health means nobody has an accurate picture of the numbers of people with mental health issues in the criminal justice system, or the collective needs or risks posed by these individuals. Inspectors found a myriad of systems are used to screen and assess people as they are arrested, charged, sentenced and supervised. Incomplete or poor records mean individuals might not receive appropriate treatment, charging decisions are affected, and there are delays to court proceedings.

There is widespread confusion over confidentiality and data protection rules - leaving agencies unable to access pertinent information and leading to poorer mental health outcomes.

Inspectors interviewed police officers who said they were unclear when they could share information about an individual's mental health with the Crown Prosecution Service. This was despite the Data Protection Act (2018) including an exemption for sharing data for justice purposes. This gap means prosecutors, defence lawyers, judges and magistrates can make decisions without crucial details.

Poor information-sharing hampers work in prisons and probation services too. As a result, prisoners transferring in and out of prison do not get seamless support with their mental health needs. Probation practitioners reported their work was often hindered because community mental health services would not allow them to access information about the individuals they supervised - despite the fact these requests are lawful.

Resources

The inspection found delays are common at every stage of the criminal justice system. Courts face long waits for psychiatric reports, which are used to make sentencing decisions. The shortage of good-quality mental health provision leads to "unacceptable delays" for individuals accessing services.

Inspectors found extremely unwell prisoners were often left in prison instead of being transferred urgently to mental health hospitals. Delays were often caused by a lack of medium and high-security beds; the mental health of these prisoners often further deteriorated as they waited.

Inspectors have called for urgent steps to be taken to address the situation, to meet the 28 day targets from first assessment to transfer now laid down in NHS guidelines.

Black, Asian and minority ethnic people are both overrepresented at every stage of the criminal justice system and at comparatively higher risk of mental illness. Inspectors found a lack of specialist services for these individuals.

Some progress

Although inspectors concluded that not enough has changed in the 12 years since the last joint inspection, they did, however, note improvements in some areas.

Inspectors welcomed the roll-out of mental health liaison and diversion services in police stations and courts, and recent initiatives to increase the number of Mental Health Treatment Requirements given by the courts. There has also been a significant fall in the use of police custody as a "place of safety" for people in mental health crisis.

Inspectors found police officers had a good understanding that minor crime - particularly crime caused by mental health issues - could be dealt with using a health care approach.

To underpin the report, the Inspectorates commissioned Penal Reform Solutions to explore the journey through the criminal justice system and its impact on mental health from a service user perspective. PRS gathered the views of 67 people with lived experience by letter (with people in prison) or telephone (with people on probation) and also asked people to share their experiences via artistic expression - poetry or drawings.

Below are a series of quotes from people with lived experience at different stages of the criminal justice system (all names have been changed):

On arrest:

Filip said he was left alone for three days in police custody. He spoke to a mental health nurse briefly about having suicidal thoughts. He said: "(Arrest) was the lowest point in my life. (It was) unbearable, shocking... full of worry and fear... I did not understand what was going on in my mind."

Marcus found the experience of being arrested: "exhausting, confusing and frightening."

Sammy said: "It's only reflecting back I realised how bad it was... It traumatised me for a long time, how I was handled (in the police station) and treated... I was disassociated, detached and suffering psychosis and anxiety. They (police) didn't notice... they interviewed me anyway. For months after, I've had panic attacks and nightmares."

On courts:

George said: "Courts are eerie places, everything feels unnatural and on edge and that doesn't help with anyone's mental health, even if you consider yourself to have good mental health."

Luke said: "I was on remand for eight months, and going back and forth from court four or five times a month and always ending up with a new pad-mate (cellmate). It was a real struggle, as I didn't know who I was going to get. It's the last thing I need after having my life dragged out through court."

In prison:

Wilson described informing his block manager that he has Asperger's syndrome. Wilson said: "They just gave me anti-depressants to shut me up and fob me off." He wrote to the mental health team and was told he did not quality for help, despite being on medication for anxiety and depression for eight or nine years. Wilson said: "I asked to see a counsellor, which took five months to process - only to have an appointment where they didn't show up... I sat in my cell full of anticipation and anxiousness."

Lilly commented that when a prison officer stopped and talked to them, it demonstrated that someone cared. She said: "Just having a trained officer to chat to for five minutes, to ask how you are doing and to talk to, really does make a big difference. It doesn't have to be someone from the mental health team even."

Steven said: "The constant noise in prison forces tension on you, in an already hostile existence." He described an incident where he had a mental health crisis: "My cell bell had been going off for over four hours... all I wanted to do was talk to somebody, a listener [this person resides in prison and has been trained by the Samaritans to offer a listening ear]... it was the lowest point of my prison mental health... (I) felt like I have been denied air to breathe."

On probation:

Several interviewees reported that they felt the Probation Service was "on their side". Filip said: "She (probation practitioner) has taken into consideration my view and has given me the feeling that I have a voice... (this) impacted massively on my mental health".

Brian said: "Probation knew my struggles with drink and have played a key part in helping me stay sober and finding a healthier way to deal with my mental health."

However, others felt talking about their background with a probation practitioner could cause trauma. Cooper said: "There is no point bringing up shit from when I was a kid... this causes mental health problems."

Jakob said: "I have been moved from probation officer to probation officer and I sit there wondering if the (criminal justice) system has given up on me. I have no belief in the system or believe there is genuine care there for me and my mental health."

Recommendations

The report concludes with a series of 21 recommendations aimed at different authorities within the criminal justice system. Many of these are concerned with the need for more resources, better mental health training for staff and improving information sharing across the system.

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Criminal Justice System Still Failing People With Mental Health Issues

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Amajor new joint inspection published today (17 November 2021) has found poor support for people with mental health issues as they progress through the criminal justice system in England and Wales. Inspectors labelled the findings "disappointing" and said too little progress had been made since the last review in 2009.

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One in four people will experience a mental illness in their lifetime - it is not as uncommon as you think. We have put together over 100 pages of advice and information to help.

Advice & Information Service

Our Advice and Information Service offers practical help on a wide range of topics such as The Mental Health Act, community care, welfare benefits, debt and carers rights. We also offer general information on living with mental illness, medication and care.

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National mental health charity: information, services & a strong voice for everyone affected by mental illness - challenging attitudes and changing lives.

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How do I know if someone has a mental health problem?

Sometimes it will seem obvious when someone is going through a hard time, but there is no simple way of knowing if they have a mental health problem. Sometimes you don't need to know. It's more important to respond sensitively to someone who seems troubled than to find out whether or not they have a diagnosis.

Although certain symptoms are common with specific mental health problems, no two people behave the same way when unwell. You may notice changes in their behaviour or mood if you know the person well.

Our A-Z of mental health provides information on various mental health problems.

How can I help?

There are many ways you can help a friend, relative or colleague who has a mental health problem:

Talking about mental health

It can be challenging to know what to do if you are worried about someone. When you know there is an issue, it is essential not to wait. Waiting and hoping they will come to you for help might lose valuable time getting them support.

Talking to someone is often the first step when you know they are having a hard time. This way, you can find out what is troubling them and what you can do to help.

Eight tips for talking about mental health

1. Set time aside with no distractions

It is important to provide an open and non-judgemental space with no distractions.

2. Let them share as much or as little as they want to

Let them lead the discussion at their own pace. Don't pressure them to tell you anything they aren't ready to talk about. Talking can take a lot of trust and courage. You might be the first person they have been able to talk to about this.

3. Don't try to diagnose or second guess their feelings

You probably aren't a medical expert, and while you may be happy to talk and offer support, you aren't a trained counsellor. Try not to make assumptions about what is wrong or jump in too quickly with your own diagnosis or solutions.

4. Keep questions open ended

Say, "Why don't you tell me how you are feeling?" rather than "I can see you are feeling very low". Try to keep your language neutral. Give the person time to answer and try not to grill them with too many questions.

5. Talk about self-care

Discuss ways of de-stressing or practising self-care and ask if they find anything helpful. Exercising, having a healthy diet and getting a good night's sleep can help protect mental health and sustain wellbeing.

6. Listen carefully to what they tell you

Repeat what they have said back to them to ensure you have understood it. You don't have to agree with what they are saying, but by showing you understand how they feel, you are letting them know you respect their feelings.

7. Offer them help in seeking professional support and provide information on ways to do this

You might want to offer to go to the GP with them or help them talk to a friend or family member. Try not to take control and allow them to make decisions.

8. Know your limits

You will have your own limits on the support that you can provide. And it's important to take care of yourself too. Give yourself time to rest and process what they have told you or what's happened. Try to help them create a support network of other friends, relatives and mental health professionals who can help them too.

Remember that If you believe they are in immediate danger or have injuries that need medical attention, you must take urgent action to ensure they are safe. More details on dealing in a crisis can be found below.

If it is a family member or close friend you are concerned about, they might not want to talk to you. Try not to take this personally: talking to someone you love can be difficult as they might be worried they are hurting you. It is important to keep being open and honest and telling them that you care. It may also be helpful to give them information about organisations or people they can reach out to. A list can be found below.

How do I respond in a crisis?

People with mental health problems sometimes experience a crisis, such as feeling suicidal or experiencing their own or a different reality.

You may also feel a sense of crisis, but staying calm is important.

There are some general strategies that you can use to help:

Listen without making judgements and concentrate on their needs at that moment

Ask them what would help them

Reassure and signpost to practical information or resources.

Avoid confrontation

Ask if there is someone they would like you to contact

Encourage them to seek appropriate professional help

If they have hurt themselves, make sure they get the first aid they need

Seeing, hearing or believing things that no one else does can be the symptom of a mental health problem. It can be frightening and upsetting. Gently remind the person who you are and why you are there. Don't reinforce or dismiss their experiences; acknowledge how the symptoms make them feel.

How do I respond if someone is suicidal?

If someone tells you they are feeling suicidal or can't go on, it is very important to encourage them to get help. You or they should contact a GP or NHS 111. They can also contact the Samaritans immediately by calling 116 123 (UK) for free anytime. They could also get help from their friends, family, or mental health services.

You can ask how they feel and let them know you are available to listen. Talking can be a great help to someone who is feeling suicidal, but it may be distressing for you. You need to talk to someone about your feelings; the Samaritans can help you.

If they are planning to take their own life, please encourage them to call 999 (UK) or go to A&E and ask for the contact of the nearest crisis resolution team. These are teams of mental health care professionals who work with people in severe distress.

Useful organisations and resources

The first person to approach is your family doctor. they should be able to advise about treatment and may refer you to another local professional. See our guide on How to talk to your GP about your mental health.

Specialist mental health services

Several specialist services provide various treatments, including counselling and other talking treatments. Often these different services are coordinated by a community mental health team (CMHT), which is usually based either at a hospital or a local community mental health centre. Some teams provide 24-hour services so that you can contact them in a crisis. You should be able to contact your local CMHT through your local social services or social work team.

Samaritans

The Samaritans offer emotional support 24 hours a day, in full confidence. Call 116 123 or email .

Mind Infoline

Mind provides information on a range of mental health topics to support people in their own area from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm, Monday to Friday. Call 0300 123 3393 or email .

Rethink Advice and Information Service

Rethink provide specific solution-based guidance: 0300 5000 927 E-mail: .

Anxiety

Anxiety UK runs a helpline staffed by volunteers with personal experience of anxiety from 9:30-5:30, Monday to Friday. Call 08444 775 774.

Citizens Advice

Citizens Advice provides free, independent, confidential advice for various problems and information on your rights and responsibilities.

Step Change

StepChange provides help and information for people dealing with various debt problems. Freephone (including from mobiles) 0800 138 1111 or visit the website on www.stepchange.org.

MindEd

MindEd is a free educational resource on children and young people's mental health for all adults.

If you are feeling like ending your life or feel unable to keep yourself safe, please call 999 or go to A&E and ask for the contact of the nearest crisis resolution team. These are teams of mental health care professionals who work with people in severe distress. If you feel affected by the content you have read, please see our get help page for support.

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We all go through tough times and people help us through them. Other times we have been worried about other people's mental health.

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We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more.

Mental health apps are mobile apps designed to help users improve their emotional well-being, become more mindful, and address common mental health issues. Some mental health apps allow users to access online talk therapy or psychiatric care. Others may help you to begin a meditation practice, cope with stress and anxiety, or improve sleep quality. Available for iOS and/or Android users, mental health apps are typically designed to be used via smartphone or tablet.

The best mental health apps are affordable, user-friendly, and well-designed, with few technical glitches. Many of these apps have unique features that allow you to improve your overall wellness in enjoyable, accessible ways. High-quality therapy apps remove some of the usual barriers to mental health care, while mindfulness apps can help you achieve better focus and productivity. With so many available to choose from today, we sent our research team on a mission to find the best-of-the-best. Our team evaluated over 55 of the top mental health apps and ranked each according to whether or not the program was built on evidenced-based therapies, provided regular content updates, the variety of therapies offered, cost, and personal user reviews. Here are the mental health apps that ranked the highest.

10 Best Mental Health and Therapy Apps of 2023

Privacy

When choosing an online therapy provider, we recommend that you read the company's privacy guidelines before you sign up to better understand whether it is HIPAA-compliant and whether it shares any private information with third parties. There have been some concerns raised by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and several government officials about what user health information online therapy providers collect and what they do with any information they collect.

Best for Kids : Breathe, Think, Do with Sesame

Compare the Best Mental Health Apps

Company Price Platforms Free Trial

Guide to Choosing the Best Mental Health Apps

What Types of Mental Health Apps Are Offered?

There are a variety of types of mental health apps designed to address specific needs. These include:

Meditation: Many mental health apps focus on mindfulness techniques, such as guided meditation and grounding exercises. If you're not experienced in this area, look for apps with beginner-friendly meditation sessions.

Coping skills: Some mental health apps use games, activities, and online worksheets to help users develop important life skills, such as healthy ways to deal with stress and focus more intently while working or studying.

Addiction: Are you in recovery or trying to get sober? Sobriety apps can help you track your progress and celebrate milestones.

Anxiety and depression: If you have anxiety or depression, talk therapy with a licensed provider through a therapy app may help to treat your symptoms or supplement your in-person therapy.

Sleep problems: Many people use mental health apps to help with sleep issues, such as insomnia and nightmares. Features like sleepscapes, guided visual imagery, audio narration ("bedtime stories for grown-ups"), soothing music, and nature sounds may help you fall asleep more easily.

Comparing Mental Health Apps

There are a variety of factors to consider when choosing which mental health app is best for you. These factors include:

Price: If you're concerned about your budget, there are many free and low-cost mental health apps available. Many apps work on a monthly subscription-based model, but you can often cut costs by purchasing a discounted annual subscription. Look for an app with a free trial if you're not sure you want to commit to buying.

Topics discussed: Are you looking for help with mindfulness, stress relief, anxiety, or depression? Do you need online therapy or medication management services from a qualified professional? Each mental health app has different offerings.

Communication options: Some people benefit from live online therapy, such as live one-on-one video, audio, or chat sessions with a care provider. If you're more accustomed to communicating through text or writing, look for a therapy app that offers unlimited messaging or text-based therapy.

Features: Are you looking for an app that includes games and fun activities? What about meditation sessions, sleepscapes, and movement classes? Or are you looking specifically for online therapy that could replace in-person therapy? Look for an app that matches your needs and goals.

Who Should Use a Mental Health App?

Mental health apps can help you if you're dealing with a common mental health challenge, such as depression, stress, anxiety, or grief. Mental health apps can also help you deal with day-to-day problems like insomnia, lack of focus, and procrastination. Some mental health apps are designed to help people who have recently gotten sober or want to get sober.

You might especially benefit from using an online therapy app if you:

Live in a remote area

Need to find a more affordable form of therapy

Have a busy schedule

Feel more comfortable communicating via text

Have a disability that makes face-to-face therapy less accessible

However, mental health apps aren't for everyone. Mental health apps should generally not be used by people in active distress. A mental health app also might not be the best choice for you if you've been diagnosed with a severe mood disorder or schizophrenia or if you are experiencing psychosis.

What If I'm Having Thoughts of Harming Myself?

If you or someone you know is in extreme distress, having thoughts of self-harm, or thinking about harming someone else, seek emergency medical help by calling 911 or 988 from anywhere in the U.S.

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, here are some other resources that may help:

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Mental Health Apps Be a Substitute for In-Person Therapy?

In some cases, a therapy app may be used as a substitute for in-person therapy. Some studies suggest that online talk therapy with an accredited therapist is just as effective as face-to-face therapy in treating conditions like depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, mental health apps that don't provide direct therapy-such as mindfulness-based and stress relief apps-should not be used as a substitute for therapy. Instead, they are most effective when used as a supplement to counseling.

How Much Do Mental Health Apps Cost?

Some simple mental health apps, such as sobriety counter apps and apps that teach deep breathing techniques, are free to use. However, many apps offer a free basic version as well as a premium version with many additional features. A monthly subscription to a premium version of a mental health app often ranges from about $8.99 to $14.99 per month. For an app that offers talk therapy with a licensed therapist, typical subscription prices may range anywhere from $200 to $600 a month.

How Do Mental Health Apps Work?

Mental health apps vary greatly in terms of function, design, purpose, and features. There are six main types of mental health apps, each aimed at helping in a particular area of mental wellness. These areas include:

Social support and community

Tracking symptoms of a mental health condition

Life skills training

Self-care

Improving thinking patterns

Collecting data about mood and other aspects of mental health

Some mental health apps also offer online mental health care (such as talk therapy or psychiatric care) directly.

Are Mental Health Apps Effective?

Research suggests that mental health apps are effective in treating the symptoms of certain conditions. For example, one 2022 systematic review found that using Headspace improved symptoms among people with depression in 75% of studies. However, the research on mental health apps is ongoing, and findings are mixed. About 40% of studies found that Calm and Headspace could help with concerns like anxiety, sleep, and stress.

Methodology

To find the best mental health apps, our reviewers researched more than 50 apps for alleviating and managing mental health-related issues, including gathering and assessing internally collected user survey data. The apps were assessed based on whether they were developed via research-based programs and experts, were stable and regularly updated, offered live talk or text therapies, cost, the number of positive reviews on the Apple and Google Play app stores, cost, and any extra resources or activities offered.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

1. Caldeira C, Chen Y, Chan L, Pham V, Chen Y, Zheng K. Mobile apps for mood tracking: an analysis of features and user reviews. AMIA Annu Symp Proc. 2017;2017:495-504.

2. Greenwood H, Krzyzaniak N, Peiris R, et al. Telehealth versus face-to-face psychotherapy for less common mental health conditions: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. JMIR Ment Health. 2022;9(3):e31780. doi:10.2196/31780

3. Chandrashekar P. Do mental health mobile apps work: evidence and recommendations for designing high-efficacy mental health mobile apps. mHealth. 2018;4:6-6. doi:10.21037/mhealth.2018.03.02

4. O'Daffer A, Colt SF, Wasil AR, Lau N. Efficacy and conflicts of interest in randomized controlled trials evaluating headspace and calm apps: systematic review. JMIR Ment Health. 2022;9(9):e40924. doi:10.2196/40924

Edited by

April McCormick

April is the health editor for performance marketing at Verywell. Her work has appeared in Time, Parents Magazine, The Huffington Post, TripSavvy, Parenting.com, First Time Mom and Dad, Mama Mia, All4Women, the New York Times Bestseller, A Letter To My Mom, and more.

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Apps for mental health can help you overcome everyday hurdles such as stress, anxiety, depression, and more. Read on to learn about the best mental health and therapy apps and how they compare.

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Free Downloads 2 - CBT Worksheets | Get.gg - Getselfhelp.co.uk

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CBT resources to download - free! Worksheets, diaries, log sheets, thought record sheets etc

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Doom scrolling and how it can affect mental health 

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Doom scrolling and how it can affect mental health 

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It's 11:37 pm and the pattern shows no signs of shifting. At 1:12 am, it's more of the same. Thumb down, thumb up. Twitter, Instagram, and-if you're feeling particularly wrought/masochistic- Facebook. Ever since the Covid-19 pandemic left a great many people locked down in their homes in early March, the evening ritual has been codifying: Each night ends the way the day began, with an endless scroll through social media in a desperate search for clarity.

To those who have become purveyors of the perverse exercise, like The New York Times' Kevin Roose, this habit has become known as doomsurfing, or "falling into deep, morbid rabbit holes filled with coronavirus content, agitating myself to the point of physical discomfort, erasing any hope of a good night's sleep." For those who prefer their despair be portable, the term is doomscrolling, and as protests over racial injustice and police brutality following the death of George Floyd have joined the Covid-19 crisis in the news cycle, it's only gotten more intense. The constant stream of news and social media never ends.

Of course, a late-night scroll is nothing new-it's the kind of thing therapists often hear about when couples say one or the other isn't providing enough attention. But it used to be that Sunday nights in bed were spent digging through Twitter for Game of Thrones hot takes, or armchair quarterbacking the day's game. Now, the only thing to binge-watch is the world's collapse into crisis. Coronavirus deaths (473,000 worldwide and counting), unemployment rates (around 13 percent in the US), protesters in the street on any given day marching for racial justice (countless thousands)-the faucet of data runs nonstop. There are unlimited seasons, and the promise of some answer, or perhaps even some good news, always feels one click away.

But it's not. Right now, people are living at a time with no easy solutions, a moment with a lot of conflicting "facts" in a rapidly changing landscape. According to Nicole Ellison, who studies communication and social media at the University of Michigan's School of Information, that means there's a "lot of demand on cognitive processing to make sense of this. There's no overarching narrative that helps us." That, she adds, only compounds the stress and anxiety they're already feeling.

For years people have questioned the net benefits of platforms like Twitter and Facebook, and while some studies have found social media, when used responsibly, can have positive effects on mental health, it can also lead to anxiety and depression. Or, at the bare minimum, FOMO. And that's just the result of looking at too many brunch photos or links to celebrity gossip. Add in a global pandemic and civil unrest-and the possibility that social media networks are incentivized to push trending topics into your feeds-and the problem intensifies. "In a situation like that, we engage in these more narrow, immediate survival-oriented behaviors. We're in fight-or-flight mode," Ellison says. "Combine that with the fact that, socially, many of us are not going into work and standing around the coffee maker engaging in collective sense-making, and the result is we don't have a lot of those social resources available to us in the same way."

The doom and gloom isn't all the media's fault, though. Mesfin Bekalu, a research scientist at the Lee Kum Sheung Center for Health and Happiness at Harvard's T. H. Chan School of Public Health, notes that while a lot of the news is bad, "as humans we have a 'natural' tendency to pay more attention to negative news." This, along with social media algorithms, makes doomscrolling-and its impacts-almost inevitable. "Since the 1970s, we know of the 'mean world syndrome'-the belief that the world is a more dangerous place to live in than it actually is-as a result of long-term exposure to violence-related content on television," Bekalu says. "So, doomscrolling can lead to the same long-term effects on mental health unless we mount interventions that address users' behaviors and guide the design of social media platforms in ways that improve mental health and well-being."

The effects of doomscrolling also vary depending on who's doing it. Allissa Richardson, a professor at USC's Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism, notes that when she was researching her new book Bearing Witness While Black: African Americans, Smartphones, and the New Protest #Journalism, she spoke to many activists who didn't participate in doomscrolling simply because, they said, "I can't see myself being killed over and over again in this tiny square on my phone." Being able to participate in, and then opt out of, excessive social media use is, she notes, a privilege, which is why, when it comes to social media, many black users turn to Verzuz battles on Instagram Live and other forms of black joy as an act of resistance. "Doomscrolling for black people works in the inverse, we're actually trying to look for something separate and apart from bad things," Richardson says. "For many nonblack Americans, this has been an incredibly enriching time, and doomscrolling for them is a deep dive into the things maybe they weren't educated well about in the first place or maybe did have an inkling about but were ignoring."

To that end, there have been some upsides to the constant clicking. Social media is helping people stay connected during lockdown, and as the conversation shifted away from Covid-19 and toward racial justice and the Black Lives Matter movement, it's become a tool for active engagement-spreading news about protests, bail funds, community resources-rather than just a forum for the passive consumption of pandemic updates. Yet the late-night digging, the endless reading of bad news, is draining. (It can also, Richardson notes, endanger protesters whose identities get spread around in other people's feeds.) It's a compulsion that's only gotten worse in recent months, and one that points to humanity's quest to find coping mechanisms when many of them have been stripped away.

So, the doomscrolling continues. The actual origins of the term are a bit murky, though many point to this tweet from October 2018 as a possible forebear. More recently, doomscrolling was designated one of Merriam-Webster's Words We're Watching, and Dictionary.com named it one of its New Words We Created Because of Coronavirus.

There's something else in the etymology, though. Particularly in the word doom. Originally, the word had connotations that related it to judgement day and the end of the world, but now it's just as likely to be associated with destruction or ruin. The act of doomscrolling, then, is to roll toward annihilation. Or, to borrow a phrase from Joan Didion ( writing during America's last traumatic, generation-defining year, 1968), it is an act of slouching toward quietus. Taken biblically, it has a Revelation tone. Each swipe through the timeline marks the end of a day of reckoning-for the state of the world at large and for the person attached to each appendage doing the scrolling. Simultaneously, each person watches the demise of so much, while also slowly destroying themselves. (This rush to judgement could also explain why so many public figures are now facing cancelation.) Didion lifted "slouching towards Bethlehem" from W. B. Yeats' poem "The Second Coming," itself a reflection on the destruction caused by World War I written amidst the 1918 flu pandemic. It's only natural that the world's scrolling reflects those writers' apocryphal Apocalypse visions.

At the same time, it doesn't have to. Doomscrolling will never actually stop the doom itself. Feeling informed can be a salve, but being overwhelmed by tragedy serves no purpose. The current year is nothing if not a marathon; trying to sprint to the end of one's feed will only cause burnout and a decline in mental health among the people whose level-headedness is needed most. That means you, dear reader. Amidst all of the pain, isolation, and destruction of the past six months, it's not worth it to add on to the strain with two hours of excess Twitter every night. Perhaps now just needs to be the End Times for your timeline.

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Doomscrolling Is Slowly Eroding Your Mental Health

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It's 11:37 pm and the pattern shows no signs of shifting. At 1:12 am, it's more of the same. Thumb down, thumb up. Twitter, Instagram, and-if you're feeling particularly wrought/masochistic- Facebook.

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Struggling with an eating disorder? Caring for someone who is? Beat is here to support you.

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Understanding OCD this will help in relation to knowing the difference between OCD and BFRBS

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Understanding OCD this will help in relation to knowing the difference between OCD and BFRBS

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Understanding what drives a person to continue performing the seemingly nonsensical and repetitive behaviours that are involved in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is difficult, especially for loved ones. But in order to help us overcome, or at least make some sense of the problem, it can be helpful to try and understand how the problem is maintained, primarily it's important to understand:

How it causes such distress

What particular things keep the problem going

Firstly, let's make it clear that each individual's experience of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is diverse and complex and it's not the purpose of this page to provide any answers for any individual, we have to leave that to the trained health professionals. Instead, we simply want to offer a brief overview of the general components that help keep OCD going.

A good place to start is by learning about two beliefs that are common in many people with OCD:

Inflated responsibility - belief that they are responsible for preventing harm coming to themselves, a loved one or others

Overestimation of threat - belief that things are riskier than they are

For someone with OCD, what they worry about (whatever intrusive thoughts they have) seems very likely to happen and their sense of responsibility means that they feel they must act in order to prevent it. In other words, the two beliefs create an ever increasing cycle of obsessions and compulsions. Even if the level of danger is assessed to be relatively low by the person with OCD (i.e. it's a low risk someone will break into my place of work), their heightened sense of responsibility (to protect my place of work) dictates the need to carry out a compulsion.

OCD is driven by the fear of consequences, no matter how unlikely they are. For someone with OCD, the perceived level of risk is turned on its head, a 0.01% risk feels as likely to happen as a 99.9% risk.

Emotions play a big part in OCD becoming stuck and how someone with OCD responds to thoughts helps to explain where these emotions come from. The example below shows how different responses to thoughts affect the way we feel and behave, with both sufferers and non-sufferers alike being able to relate.

Emotions play a big part in OCD becoming stuck and how someone with OCD responds to thoughts helps to explain where these emotions come from. The example below shows how different responses to thoughts affect the way we feel and behave, with both sufferers and non-sufferers alike being able to relate.

It's the middle of the night, you're in bed. You hear a noise from downstairs.

You might think: 'It's the stupid cat again', feel angry, put your head under the pillow and try to go back to sleep.

You might think: 'It's my partner coming in, I haven't seen them all day!', feel happy and get out of bed to say 'hello'.

You might think: 'It's a burglar', feel frightened and anxious so call the police.

What this example shows is that the same event can make people feel completely different emotions (angry, happy, anxious), and result in them behaving in very different ways, due to their different beliefs about the event.

Think about the scariest rollercoaster you have ever been on. You are strapped in tight, deep down you know you are secure and safe, yet as the car goes up the steep rails and slowly dangles you over the drop, teetering on the edge of the steep fall, you still scream and grip the bar tight. It is that thought, that 'what if' something goes wrong that makes you scared and scream loudly. You know that the risk of something bad happening is remote, your brain is telling you that you are 99.9% safe, yet you still scream in that brief moment. Imagine if you were aware of every tiny risk in life and felt responsible for preventing any harm coming from them, you can see that even a fun ride might need to be avoided. People with OCD think they should act 'just in case' despite knowing that they are being over-cautious

If you read our page on obsessions you will have already read this mental health professionals teaching example. It makes reference to another common belief in those with OCD, importance of thoughts and the fear that thinking something may make it more likely to happen.

Teaching professors start out by asking an audience to agree with a statement that saying something or thinking something doesn't mean it will come true, that our thoughts are not magical and can't make things happen. For example, thinking about winning the lottery and how your life will change doesn't mean you will win the lottery. The teaching expert will then go on to ask the audience, which we have seen include trained clinical psychologist and psychiatrists, to write down the name of a loved one on a bit of paper and then further add a statement about something horrific happening to that person. Despite all those highly qualified doctors moments before agreeing that thinking or saying something doesn't mean it will magically come true, they're nearly always all unable to write down the statement about something horrific happening to their loved one, or those that do, then destroy that bit of paper into lots and lots of tiny little shreds.

These examples illustrate two things to help people understand Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, firstly, the power of a single unwanted intrusive thought (obsession) to cause such distress and secondly, how such thoughts can lead to seemingly nonsensical compulsions (i.e. ripping the piece of paper into many shreds).

We imagine that even thinking about the teaching exercise has left people a little anxious, even now a few minutes later, imagine having that feeling of dread, that feeling of danger, that feeling of anxiety with you throughout the day. If you can imagine it, multiply that feeling by a hundred and you might just start to understand what it feels like to suffer with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

In summary, it's not the thoughts themselves that are the problem, it's what we make of those thoughts in the first place! With therapy for OCD based on this intuitive understanding of how we think affecting how we react.

For someone without OCD, it may still be difficult to fully understand how an insignificant thought has such power over a person, and it's not easy to explain, but OCD is an anxiety disorder, and such thoughts of fear or danger cause a huge increase in anxiety for the person affected, anxiety that remains high.
Let us ask you, the reader, have you ever been anxious?
Have you ever been anxious for a prolonged period? Perhaps you've been on a plane when turbulence hits, the anxiety is pretty high then for a while, it doesn't feel nice does it?

Imagine you're trying to cross a busy road, you're not really paying attention, you're texting on your mobile or listening to music and you partially look up and see one side is clear, you step into the road, suddenly you hear the screeching of brakes and a car horn, your heart starts racing as you realise you didn't look both directions, the palms of your hands and forehead are sweaty, you clench your hands and feel anxiety shoot across every part of your body as you sense danger and see the shock on the driver's face.

The anxiety helped you to sense the danger, step back onto the pavement and let the lorry pass safely without any real harm, other than the sweat patch on the back of your shirt.

The lorry passes, you look left and right again and cross the road, the nearer the opposite pavement you get the more your anxiety reduces. The moment you step onto the opposite pavement your anxiety drops right down to a normal level and you curse yourself for being a plonker and continue with your day, the anxiety completely gone within moments.

Recognise such a feeling? Yeah, of course you do, who hasn't done something like that at some time?

This is a normal response to an anxious situation, the anxiety subsides as the danger passes. For someone with OCD however, the problem is the anxiety remains, it's a bit like a broken valve, the anxiety level doesn't immediately subside. It stays high because the world feels riskier to them and they feel huge responsibility for preventing something bad from happening and because of persistent and unwanted intrusive thoughts that they interpret as highlighting a risk. Compulsions also prevent someone with OCD from finding out that what they fear won't happen, and because their fear doesn't happen believe their action to have been worthwhile. This creates a vicious cycle of thoughts and compulsions driven by anxiety and fear and it is this that keeps anxiety high.

So for someone with OCD, anxiety provoking situations and thoughts cause negative interpretations about what might or could happen. Even when nothing bad happens, anxiety remains high until a person carries out a safety seeking behaviour - the compulsion. Because these negative interpretations still remain, the same anxiety provoking thoughts continue to necessitate further safety seeking behaviours, so instead of digging themselves out of a hole, they are digging that hole deeper.

To quote Professor Paul Salkovskis

The solution becomes the problem.

Doubt is another characteristic of OCD - the French once called OCD 'folie du doute', which translates to 'madness of doubt'. Anxiety is proportional to a person's perception of danger and risk. The worse the perceived consequences the greater is the fear of something bad happening and the more certain someone will want to be that they have done everything they can to prevent it. This is where doubt in OCD comes from and what drives a lot of compulsive behaviours. In simple terms, OCD demands black or white answers, it can't tolerate shades of grey (uncertainty). This is partly why our logo includes the shade of grey.

The D in our logo is designed to offer positivity, shaded grey to highlight that those of us with OCD have to aim to be comfortable living with uncertainty and doubt. The broken D emphasises the fact that it is possible to break the shackles of the disorder and recover.

So do you see how a combination of doubt and uncertainty, interpretation of thoughts, mixed with an heightened sense of responsibility and a sprinkling of emotions all come together to create a big problem called Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?

What to read next:

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Understanding what drives a person to continue performing the seemingly nonsensical and repetitive behaviours that are involved in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is difficult, especially for loved ones.

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This week (14 - 20 October) is International OCD Awareness Week 2013. So it's a good time to speak up about a very misunderstood, and misrepresented mental health condition: Obsessive-compulsive disorder.

One of the things that the various OCD charities are trying to do is to get people to stop using the term 'OCD' incorrectly. Those of us who are, or have been affected by obsessive-compulsive disorder tend to grind our teeth whenever we hear colleagues, friends or people on social media describing other people (or themselves) as 'a bit OCD', 'so OCD', or 'really OCD'.

But what's the harm in throwing around the term 'OCD' incorrectly in everyday conversations and in the media? I'm glad you asked...

There are a several reasons why it's harmful and puts up extra barriers for people who are affected by OCD. Let's look at a few of them.

Firstly, misinformation about OCD may stop genuine sufferers from realizing that they even have OCD. For example I lived with OCD for twenty or thirty years before realising it, and that's not an unusual story.

If you think that OCD is just about hand-washing and lining things up symmetrically, then you're quite likely not to identify it with your own experiences, which may not involve those things at all.

For many people with OCD, their obsessions (the things they can't seem to stop worrying about) often relate to harm and responsibility. Their compulsions (the things they do to try to deal with their feelings of anxiety, disgust or fear) can include things like hand-washing or checking, but can take lots of other forms as well. They can be things that they do entirely in their heads and are invisibleto everyone around you, and so easy to hide from the world.

Secondly, the everyday drip-drip-drip of jokes, comments and put-downs -- in your office, classroom, your home, and on social media -- creates an overall impression that OCD is something quite trivial, or comical, and not a serious illness.

This couldn't be further from the truth. OCD is a debilitating, horrible condition, and it can ruin your quality of life. Many of us just struggle on for years, trying to cope with our OCD without any help, often not even realising that we're suffering from a diagnosable illness, until we reach our own personal breaking point, and feel like we just can't go on without some urgent help.

The media is constantly reminding us that all types of health services are short of cash and resources these days. So if OCD is constantly painted as a trivial problem among the general public, what effect do you think that has when mental health resources are being allocated?

Another result of the misuse of the term 'OCD' is that, when people are trying to tell their colleagues, family members and friends that they are suffering from OCD, they not only have to build up the courage to reveal their illness; they also have to educate the people around them about what that actually means.

If you have OCD, it's likely to have a big impact on your job, your studies, or your family life - probably on all of those things. For example, you may need your employer or your university to make a number of 'reasonable adjustments' for you to enable you to carry on in your job or your studies. Getting your employer or your college to agree to put those reasonable adjustments in place can be very difficult anyway - but much more difficult if they don't even recognize your OCD as the serious illness that it actually is.

In addition, if you are living with obsessive-compulsive disorder, it's very likely that you feel deeply ashamed of the thoughts that are tormenting you every day, so having to fight for those adjustments to be put into place can be a massive struggle.

Typically a person living with OCD will have been living with their illness (and probably hiding it) for a long time before they ever tell their doctor or approach their local mental health service for some help. Trivialisation and misunderstandings around what they are experiencing only makes this worse.

If you think that someone close to you might be living with OCD, then it could be that they're going through a huge amount of distress every single day.You can help to make their life a little bit easier by learning about what they're going through, cutting out the 'OCD' jokes and put-downs and talking about OCD the same way that you'd talk about any other mental health problem.

By doing that, you'll start to become part of the solution, instead of being part of the problem.

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This week (14 - 20 October) is International OCD Awareness Week 2013. So it's a good time to speak up about a very misunderstood, and misrepresented mental health condition: Obsessive-compulsive disorder. One of the things that the various OCD charities are trying to do is to get people to stop using the term 'OCD' incorrectly.

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As discussed in the session here is the link to the documentary in relation to suicide 

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As discussed in the session here is the link to the documentary in relation to suicide 

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Roman Kemp explores the mental health and suicide crisis affecting young men.

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I don't remember the first time I pulled out my eyelashes and eyebrows. But I do remember the distress this compulsion caused me when I was in high school before I understood why I did it or how to handle the aftermath. Today I know that if I have a bad pulling spree that leaves my poor brows or lashes with bald patches, I can turn to all manner of cosmetics-from pencils to gels to powders-to mask the damage. But in high school I didn't know the first thing about makeup. So I used a black ball-point pen instead.

It looked ridiculous. So ridiculous in fact that a boy in one of my classes in 10th grade drew a giant outline of my eyebrows on the blackboard, and filled them in with squiggly lines where the brow hairs should have been. "Why do your eyebrows look like this?" he said, and everyone laughed.

This story has a decently happy ending. As I got older I learned more about my habit, which for years I'd considered an inexplicable and humiliating source of shame. Turns out I was dealing with a pretty textbook case of trichotillomania, also known as hair-pulling disorder, which the Mayo Clinic describes as "a mental disorder that involves recurrent, irresistible urges to pull out hair from your scalp, eyebrows or other areas of your body, despite trying to stop." Hair-pulling is one of several manifestations of what experts call " body-focused repetitive behavior " (or BFRBs); other forms of BRFBs include excessive skin-picking and nail-biting.

Learning that other people shared these experiences-to the point that there was an actual name for this condition-helped me feel less confused, afraid, and alone. And therapy helped me better understand myself and my triggers. It also crucially gave me the tools I needed to control these destructive urges at least most of the time.

Meanwhile I also learned more about the power of makeup. A more positive memory: A good friend of mine taught me how to apply eyeliner in a bathroom during a party in college. Now the bald patches in my eyelashes could be less noticeable. Transformative. Another friend pointed out a few other women we both knew who also pulled out their lashes and brows, something I hadn't even noticed because they were significantly more adept at covering it up than I was. I took notes.

Today I very rarely pull at my brows and lashes to the point where it causes noticeable damage, which feels like an enormous victory in itself. Unfortunately my decade-plus of repeatedly and compulsively tearing at my face has left my brows extremely sparse-turns out that hair just eventually stops growing back. I still only rarely wear makeup, but because of my ultrathin brows, I absolutely will not leave the house without filling them in. If I don't know where my eyebrow pencil is, I feel a bit panicky. I hate the way my eyebrows look without makeup, and I worry about what people will think of me. It makes me feel like I'm in high school all over again. Eyebrow makeup gives me the confidence to go out in the world and think about literally anything else besides my dumb, stressful, embarrassing eyebrows. Truly a gift.

I've been reflecting about my experiences with trichotillomania a lot lately, particularly in the past few months as SELF editors have been testing and selecting winners for this year's Healthy Beauty Awards.

Would I prefer to be more evolved perhaps, and not care at all what people think of my eyebrows? Of course. I'd also prefer that skinny, patchy brows were totally unremarkable, rather than coded as unattractive; that they didn't signal that I don't know how to take care of myself, or that I'm unwell, or unstable. What I'd prefer more than anything is for the stigma around mental illness to evaporate. But in the meantime I'm immensely grateful for beauty products. They give me the power to look like the person I want people to see.

At SELF our approach to healthy beauty is that products can be powerful because they help you feel good. The best products can genuinely help you manage or contend with your skin type, hair type, or in many cases actual medical conditions. They can also help you express yourself in a way that makes you feel more comfortable and less self-conscious.

Our testing and selection process for the awards this year was more rigorous than ever and involved among other things 83 people testing over 1,250 products. Many of our testers have conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, cystic acne, scarring, dark spots, dry skin, thinning hair, and trichotillomania. They are serious about the products they use because in many cases, like mine, those products can make a huge difference in their daily lives.

My hope is that whatever your concern or need when it comes to skin care, hair care, and cosmetics, these winners can help give you the confidence, assurance, and peace of mind that a good brow pencil gives me.
Carolyn Kylstra is the editor in chief of SELF.

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I Spent Years Pulling Out My Eyebrows and Eyelashes. The Right Brow Pencil Helps Me Leave the House.

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I don't remember the first time I pulled out my eyelashes and eyebrows. But I do remember the distress this compulsion caused me when I was in high school before I understood why I did it or how to handle the aftermath.

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Blog from someone during COVID-19 in relation to BFRBs

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Blog from someone during COVID-19 in relation to BFRBs

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As an anthropologist who researches a mental health disorder that I also suffer from, I take this opportunity to reflect on the ways that COVID-19 has affected daily life with a body-focused repetitive behaviour (BFRB). In particular, this piece draws attention to the impact of lockdown in the UK including the advice on face-touching; the triggers of staying at home; the paradox of anxiety; and how isolation can lead to increased social connections.
Don't touch your face!
Body-focused repetitive behaviours are compulsive mental health disorders including hair pulling (trichotillomania), skin picking (dermatillomania) and nail biting (onychophagia). Clear from the name, these behaviours involve a repetitive, somewhat obsessive interaction with the body. My ongoing research with people living with BFRBs in the UK and US, as well as personal experience living with these behaviours has confirmed that BFRBs are more complex than habits that can be easily overcome. The urges that accompany BFRBs are frequently described to me in terms of addiction, where pleasure and harm are entangled with satisfaction and shame. People with BFRBs usually do not understand why they have the urge to pull out the hair from their bodies or constantly pick their skin. These urges are rarely at ease, and while people attempt to conceal their behaviour from public view, the need to satisfy their bodies through pulling and picking occupies their thoughts most of the time.

In the early advice of COVID-19, media coverage highlighting the risks of face-touching took on a new meaning for my interlocutors. For many people with compulsive skin picking, the face is a site of great obsession. Urges accompany the frequent scanning for imperfections and scabs. Some hair pullers target their eyebrows and eyelashes, others frequently touch areas of the face to search for tiny hairs to pull. For nail biters, oral stimulation of fingers and nails is a daily occurrence. Importantly, many people with BFRBs carry out their behaviours subconsciously, so may not be aware that they are doing it. The reality of these behaviours means that sudden bombardment of "don't touch your face" messages, becomes a harsh wake-up call to the frequently with which they actually touch their faces; their lack of control over it; and the very real risks in doing so. I recently asked a friend about this message, she said, "Honestly, the 'avoid touching your face' advice from the government and in the media was something I immediately dismissed. Not as unimportant, but as unimaginable. I read somewhere that the average person touches their face around 200 times a day - as a compulsive skin picker I reckon mine must be in excess of 2000".

The "don't touch your face" message has further connotations for people living with BFRBs, as they have likely heard this numerous times before from frustrated family members. I have written elsewhere about how trichotillomania affects and is affected by family relations (Bradley & Ecks 2018). A major challenge lies in the comments from loved ones who fail to comprehend the complexity of hair pulling and skin picking, saying things like, "stop at your hair!"; "stop chewing your nails!", "leave your skin alone!", or simply slapping hands away from hair and faces while pulling/picking. Due to the intensity of urges and the embarrassment of being caught in the act, these words and actions can greatly increase feelings of shame and anxiety.

With this context, the "don't touch your face" message might surface unsettling memories for people living with BFRBs, but it also acknowledges how difficult it is for some people to avoid touching their faces, even when the risk of infection is brought to their attention. Organisations like the TLC Foundation for Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviours (TLC) have issued advice to people about how to cope with face-touching, and the Picking Me Foundation suggested to " reinterpret media bytes" warning you to 'not touch your face' as cheerleaders rooting you on". Therefore, some of the impact of this message may depend on how it is framed; and a focus on compassion rather than surveillance will make it more likely for people with BFRBs to reduce their face-touching during the pandemic.

Anxiety can be an enormous trigger for people living with BFRBs, with stress influencing the strength and frequency of urges. Of course, it is assumed that living through a global pandemic is anxiety inducing, even for those with lower levels of anxiety. Paradoxically, in a recent Guardian article, Farrah Jarral notes that people with anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder in the UK have reported lower anxiety during lockdown. Jarral suggests this is due to the stress of normal life and the benefits of slowing down for those with comfortable living standards and safe home environments. In BFRB circles, some anxiety has also been lessening, due to reduced social pressures and more time to relax with hobbies at home. For those who normally depend on external self-care strategies to manage their BFRB (regular appointments at specialist hair salons, unrestricted exercise), anxiety can be harder to maintain. However, some people have been able to adapt their self-care routines in new ways, like a friend who finally felt able to shave an undercut on the areas of her head affected from pulling. For her, the lockdown provided an opportunity to cut her own hair without the anxiety of anyone seeing her, and the new hairstyle has boosted her self-esteem.

COVID-19 has the potential to highlight where the triggers to anxiety and BFRBs lie; within certain social interactions, working life, daily commutes etc. This tracking of environmental and social surroundings with BFRB urges is a key focus of the behavioural model used by BFRB therapists, but what happens during lockdown when the environment that triggers you is your home?
Stay at Home
During the interviews and observations of my PhD research, I realised that home can be a huge trigger for picking and pulling behaviours. Like in much of the world, COVID-19 has kept British people in their homes, for weeks and months (at the time of writing the UK has entered the eighth week of lockdown). The UK message to "stay at home" has different outcomes for people, and while the overall aim is to save lives, the various challenges and risks of being restricted to the house have been acknowledged in terms of domestic abuse and suicide.

Home can be triggering for people with BFRBs for several reasons. The first is a matter of time. BFRBs are a massive time-suck, as their compulsive and often subconscious nature can lead to hours lost each day. This loss of time was described to me as a "zoning out", similar to what has been written on compulsive gambling (Schüll 2014). During lockdown, the change in routine and excess time can increase the chances of procrastination and makes it harder to avoid entering the zone of pulling/picking. Working from home also creates additional challenges, as people often depended on being surrounded by colleagues to limit their BFRB activity during the day, but with no one around to hide from, sitting alone at computers becomes the ultimate trigger zone. Staying home creates new ways of being seen, and remaining hidden. As one woman with dermatillomania told me, "With no social plans, other than Zoom sessions showing me from the shoulders up, I have felt free to mutilate my skin without the usual post-picking panic of how to hide the damage before I head out to meet friends." Similarly, a woman with trichotillomania said she had lost so much hair during lockdown that she is afraid to be seen publicly once the restrictions are lifted.

Staying home also affects the way we see ourselves, and for people with BFRBs, mirrors are some of the most triggering objects. This has been acknowledged in many of the BFRB COVID-19 advice blogs, suggesting that people cover mirrors, limit time in front of mirrors, or stick motivational messages on mirrors to avoid the negative effects of obsessing in them. In a recent conversation, a woman with skin picking described this situation to me, "With all this extra time at home, I have had to cover my bathroom mirror with a square of brown paper as I quickly began spending increasing amounts of time stuck in front of it. A bored/restless/isolated individual with a BFRB and an accessible mirror is like a moth to a flame." Finally, as mentioned earlier, the presence of family members at home can bring additional struggles for people with BFRBs, limiting privacy, and often increasing the likelihood of embarrassment and shame associated with hair pulling and skin picking.

Isolation is a familiar experience for people with BFRBs who have often spent years thinking they were alone in their picking and pulling obsessions, keeping it a secret from those around them. My PhD thesis (Bradley 2019) followed the journey of women, men and children through this isolation, to finding out that their "weird habit" had a medical name, and connecting with other people who have it too. These social relations become incredibly powerful and can develop into essential support networks.

The physical distancing enforced by the UK lockdown has reinforced this isolation for many people living with BFRBs, who are unable to attend in-person support groups. This year, a major event in the BFRB calendar was affected by the pandemic, the annual conference run by the TLC Foundation which was meant to occur in April. This conference is a rare opportunity for hundreds of BFRB sufferers and their families to spend a weekend together among leading clinicians and researchers. During my PhD research, I attended 3 of these conferences and witnessed the transformative effects of connecting with this international community. These conferences really are a lifeline for many people who feel deeply isolated by their BFRB all year long. Being unable to attend the conference has been difficult for some of my BFRB contacts, including one woman who travels from the UK to America for the event each year. She told me, "My heart was broken when we knew that the conference would not go ahead. Everyone knows it's for the best and safety comes first, but it is such a huge part of BFRB lives. It's our annual second family gathering." COVID-19 restrictions have certainly created distance among families, and in this case, the community networks that provide care in ways that mirror familial bonds.

However, we are also reminded during this time that physical distancing does not have to mean social distancing, as technology offers us ways to stay connected. TLC are now providing weekly "hang-outs" for their conference attendees, which has greatly comforted those who join them. Similarly, monthly BFRB support groups in the UK have increased to offer people weekly virtual support. Adapting these groups online has meant that they are now accessible to more people, more frequently, and people have said that they are "the highlight of their week".

So while scholars consider the long-lasting mental health implications of COVID-19, it is important to acknowledge the unique ways that different mental disorders are affected by this pandemic, especially conditions that receive little attention like BFRBs. Finally, we should make sure to pay attention to the sustained efforts of people who are finding new ways to care, for themselves, and for one another during the isolation of lockdown.
Bridget Bradley is a lecturer in Social Anthropology, University of Edinburgh Works Cited
Bradley, B. and Ecks, S. (2018) "Disentangling family life and hair pulling: Trichotillomania and Relatedness". Medical Anthropology. 37(7): 568-581.

Bradley, B. (2019) Biosocial Journeys: Care and Community in Experiences of Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviours. PhD Thesis. University of Edinburgh.

Schüll, N.D. (2014) Addiction by Design: Machine Gambling in Las Vegas. Princeton: University Press.
BFRB Support Links
The TLC Foundation for Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviours: www.bfrb.org

The Picking Me Foundation: www.pickingme.org

To join online BFRB support groups during COVID-19, please contact: Bridget.Bradley@ed.ac.uk

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Don't touch your face! The triggers, isolation and social connections of body-focused repetitive behaviours during COVID-19, by Bridget Bradley

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As an anthropologist who researches a mental health disorder that I also suffer from, I take this opportunity to reflect on the ways that COVID-19 has affected daily life with a body-focused repetitive behaviour (BFRB).

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This week is #BFRBweek, a week dedicated to highlighting the impact of Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviours (BFRBs).

OCD-UK are happy to support the work of organisations that aim to raise awareness of BFRBs and we hope this post will help highlight some of the problems those with BFRBs experience.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), published by the American Psychiatric Association, provides clinicians with official definitions for diagnosing mental health disorders. Within DSM-5, BFRBs are listed within the group of 'Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders'.
Does this mean BFRBs are OCD?
Whilst there are some compulsive and ritualistic similarities between OCD and BFRBs, it is generally considered that BFRBs are slightly different from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. OCD is primarily driven by unwanted intrusive thoughts, with compulsions carried out in an attempt to prevent bad things happening, whereas typically BFRBs are carried out to reduce tension/stress or even out of habit, rather than being initiated by an unwanted intrusive thought.

But what is not in doubt, is that BFRBs are equally as distressing for the person suffering and can severely impact on a person's social life.

These behaviours are not habits or tics; rather they are complex disorders that cause people to repeatedly touch their hair and body in ways that cause a person distress and just like in OCD, have a profound effect on the person's ability to function. In some cases, BFRBs can result in physical damage.
So what are BFRBs?
Currently, trichotillomania (hair pulling) and excoriation (skin picking) are the only BFRBs specified within the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), however BFRBs are a cluster of conditions characterised by repetitive and compulsive self-grooming behaviours that damage the body. These include:

Trichotillomania (hair pulling)

Dermatillomania/excoriation disorder (skin picking)

Skin-biting

Nail-biting

Nail picking

Cheek biting

Tricophagia (eating one's own hair)

Rhinotillexomania (nose picking)

How to treat BFRBs?
Just like OCD, those suffering because of Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviours can also be helped to manage and improve their quality of life.

Behavioural therapy (BT), Cognitive Behavioural therapy (CBT) and in some cases a technique called habit reversal training are usually highlighted to be the most effective treatments for BFRBs. Your GP can arrange a referral to your local NHS mental health services, or if you're in England you can self-refer to your local IAPT service.

If you feel you may be struggling because of a BFRB please do consult your GP.

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This week is #BFRBweek , a week dedicated to highlighting the impact of Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviours (BFRBs). OCD-UK are happy to support the work of organisations that aim to raise awareness of BFRBs and we hope this post will help highlight some of the problems those with BFRBs experience.

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They always listen, even if you aren't able to talk about self-injury."

That anyone who uses self-injury knows they are not alone;

that everyone understands that self-injury is a complex and important issue we should all care about;

and that together we tackle both the causes and stigma of self-injury.

I couldn't have got through without the helpline, it means the world to me
to have someone listen and believe me....

Our mission

We focus on improving support and knowledge around self-injury

offering safe spaces where we listen and never judge, and demonstrating the impact of this support;

creating experience-led tools and information on topics clients tell us they want to know about;

promoting better models of support through training health and social care workers of the future;

working with researchers and policy makers to make sure what people tell us they want is put into practice

What We Do To Make This Happen

We run a UK-wide multi-channel support service for women & girls affected by self-injury, trauma and abuse

We develop up-to-date, reliable and free information and self help tools for anyone to use

We run training and consultancy to share knowledge and expertise with a wide range of staff, especially in health, social care and education

We partner with other organisations and researchers to find out directly from those with lived experience of self-injury find helpful in their lives

"It enabled me to move on at a time

when nothing else felt safe enough to allow me to do this."

Our values
These are the values that ensure we never lose sight of what we are trying to achieve: Providing non-judgemental support
Self-injury is often experienced alongside feelings of shame or self-blame. Responses from others who do not understand self-injury can reinforce these feelings. We aim to offer and model acceptance which increases chance of people feeling more accepting towards themselves.

Offering a positive experience of reaching out for help

Some people contacting us may not have reached out for help in relation to self-injury before or may have had negative responses when looking for support. The issue is highly stigmatised and a person's first experience of disclosing is very significant in how they subsequently seek support.

Respecting an individual's relationship with self-injury and to avoid being prescriptive in our support
We recognise the role and function that self-injury can play in people's lives at different times. We aim to foster feelings of autonomy and empowerment in the people we support. Our aim is to give people access to clear and objective information designed to help them make the right choices for them at different times in their lives. We do not tell people to stop using self-injury, as this is not our choice to make.

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charity self-harm self-injury self harm distress trauma women girls

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About Us - Our Vision, Our Mission, Our Values

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Read more about our vision that anyone who uses self-injury knows they are not alone; that everyone understands that self-injury is a complex and important issue we should all care about and that together we tackle both the causes and stigma of self-injury.

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Skip to main content

This paper sets out suicide prevention policies in England.

The national suicide prevention strategy, Preventing Suicide in England: A cross-government outcomes strategy to save lives, was first published in 2012. Its key aims are to reduce the suicide rate in the general population in England and better support those bereaved or affected by suicide. It was updated in 2017 to including tackling self-harm as an issue in its own right. To support the strategy, the NHS asked all Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) to deliver local multi-agency suicide prevention plans.

The strategy included a commitment to reduce the rate of suicides in England by 10% by 2020/21 (compared to 2015 levels). The most recent progress report (January 2019) showed a 9.2% reduction in suicides. The Government will measure success against this target based on suicide registrations for 2020, expected to be published by the ONS in 2021.

The NHS Long-term Plan (January 2019) reaffirmed the commitment to make suicide prevention a priority over the next decade. It committed to rolling out funding to further Sustainability and Transformation Partnership (STP) areas, implementing a new Mental Health Safety Improvement Programme, and rolling out suicide bereavement services across the country.

The Cross-Government suicide prevention workplan (January 2019) also commits every area of Government to taking action on suicide and sets out clear deliverables and timescales against which progess on the key commitments set out in the Suicide Prevention Strategy will be monitored.

The Government has allocated funding of £57 million for suicide prevention work up to 2023/24.

A fifth progress report was published in March 2021. This sets out additional Government support and funding for suicide prevention to address additional pressures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes £5 million to support suicide prevention by voluntary and community sector organisations over 2021-2022. The report also notes that, although full data is not yet available, early indications do not suggest a rise in the number of suicides when comparing pre- and post-lockdown figures, for January to August 2020.

Related posts

This Commons briefing paper gives an overview of some commonly raised issues about land law.

Data on unemployment in the UK.

This paper presents the latest statistics on youth unemployment in the UK as well as comparisons with other EU countries.

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Suicide Prevention: Policy and Strategy - House of Commons Library

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Skip to main content This paper sets out suicide prevention policies in England. The national suicide prevention strategy, Preventing Suicide in England: A cross-government outcomes strategy to save lives, was first published in 2012. Its key aims are to reduce the suicide rate in the general population in England and better support those bereaved or affected by suicide.

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Donna's story about her son Anthony - Suicide

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Donna's story about her son Anthony - Suicide

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We Need to Talk About Suicide: Donna Thomas on warning signs

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World Suicide Prevention Day 2019: You Make Today Better

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LifeSigns - A very good website for self injury (harm)  

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LifeSigns - A very good website for self injury (harm)  

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LifeSIGNS - the user-led self-injury small charity

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LifeSIGNS (Self-Injury Guidance & Network Support) is an online, user-led charitable organisation, founded in 2002 to create understanding about self-injury and provide information and support to people of all ages affected by self-injury across the UK.

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World prevention day campaign in 2020 - next one is 10th September 2021
this one finally has a welsh speaker as one of their languages

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#WorthLivingFor - World Suicide Prevention Day 2020

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This if from england NHS so some of the numbers may not be valid but some useful information on how someone might feel, practical list of who needs to be contacted etc. 

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This if from england NHS so some of the numbers may not be valid but some useful information on how someone might feel, practical list of who needs to be contacted etc. 

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The distrACT app gives you easy, quick and discreet access to information and advice about self-harm and suicidal thoughts.

The content has been created by doctors and experts in self-harming and suicide prevention.

Anyone over the age of 17 who's concerned about self-harming.

The distrACT app aims to help you better understand urges to self-harm, and encourages you to monitor and manage your symptoms. It can also help reduce the risk of suicide.

There's advice and support information, including emergency contact numbers, how best to work with healthcare professionals, and safer alternatives to self-harming.

In the app's Chill Zone, you can find resources that may help you feel better, including art, books, films, music, poems, quotes, stories and online videos.

Report an issue

You can contact the developer directly to report any issue or if you have any questions about this product.

Please share the details through our contact form for our records.

distrACT is free to download from the App Store and Google Play.

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The distrACT app gives you easy, quick and discreet access to information and advice about self-harm and suicidal thoughts. The content has been created by doctors and experts in self-harming and suicide prevention. Anyone over the age of 17 who's concerned about self-harming.

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A good website to help if someone does disculose that they do self harm 

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A good website to help if someone does disculose that they do self harm 

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Dealing with self-harm disclosures can be tricky. Here are some of our top tips when it comes to encouraging a young person to disclose about their self-harm...

Listen - allow the young person to take time to talk. There may be long silences as it's extremely hard to talk about, so don't fill the silence.

Be honest and consistent - if your self harm policy says you have to tell your line manager, tell them. Tell them who will be Told and why. Tell them if you need to take any other action and what will happen. It may well cause distress so explain clearly and easily.

Identify what function self-harm serves - is it to self soothe? When anxious? When angry?

Encourage them to explore the underlying issues - how long has it been happening? Do they remember the first time it happened - what was the trigger? Is there a certain pattern or time of day that is worse?

Don't avoid the subject - if they have told you, let them talk. You might want to consider offering further listening time; equally, they might not want to. Be open as you will receive openness in return.

Never ask or tell them to stop harming - it heightens the risks!

Why not encourage them to sign up to our Alumina self-harm support programme?

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Dealing with self-harm disclosures can be tricky. Here are some of our top tips when it comes to encouraging a young person to disclose about their self-harm... Listen - allow the young person to take time to talk. There may be long silences as it's extremely hard to talk about, so don't fill the silence.

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Lifesigns - 5  a day - can help with resilince, confidence - ideas and thoughts may help 

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Lifesigns - 5  a day - can help with resilince, confidence - ideas and thoughts may help 

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EMDR - easy to read website to explain how it can work 

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EMDR - easy to read website to explain how it can work 

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Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an interactive psychotherapy technique used to relieve psychological stress. It is an effective treatment for trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

During EMDR therapy sessions, you relive traumatic or triggering experiences in brief doses while the therapist directs your eye movements.

EMDR is thought to be effective because recalling distressing events is often less emotionally upsetting when your attention is diverted. This allows you to be exposed to the memories or thoughts without having a strong psychological response.

Over time, this technique is believed to lessen the impact that the memories or thoughts have on you.

People who are dealing with traumatic memories and those who have PTSD are thought to benefit the most from EMDR therapy.

It's thought to be particularly effective for those who struggle to talk about their past experiences.

Although there is not sufficient research to prove its effectiveness in these areas, EMDR therapy is also being used to treat:

EMDR therapy is broken down into eight different phases, so you'll need to attend multiple sessions. Treatment usually takes about 12 separate sessions.

Phase 1: History and treatment planning

Your therapist will first review your history and decide where you are in the treatment process. This evaluation phase also includes talking about your trauma and identifying potential traumatic memories to treat specifically.

Phase 2: Preparation

Your therapist will then help you learn several different ways to cope with the emotional or psychological stress you're experiencing.

Stress management techniques such as deep breathing and mindfulness may be used.

Phase 3: Assessment

During the third phase of EMDR treatment, your therapist will identify the specific memories that will be targeted and all the associated components (such as the physical sensations that are stimulated when you concentrate on an event) for each target memory.

Phases 4-7: Treatment

Your therapist will then begin using EMDR therapy techniques to treat your targeted memories. During these sessions, you will be asked to focus on a negative thought, memory, or image.

Your therapist will simultaneously have you do specific eye movements. The bilateral stimulation may also include taps or other movements mixed in, depending on your case.

After the bilateral stimulation, your therapist will ask you to let your mind go blank and notice the thoughts and feelings you're having spontaneously. After you identify these thoughts, your therapist may have you refocus on that traumatic memory, or move on to another.

If you become distressed, your therapist will help bring you back to the present before moving on to another traumatic memory. Over time, the distress over particular thoughts, images, or memories should start to fade.

Phase 8: Evaluation

In the final phase, you'll be asked to evaluate your progress after these sessions. Your therapist will do the same.

Multiple independent and controlled studies have shown that EMDR therapy is an effective treatment for PTSD. It's even one of the Department of Veterans Affairs' strongly recommended options to treat PTSD.

A 2012 study of 22 people found that EMDR therapy helped 77 percent of the individuals with psychotic disorder and PTSD. It found that their hallucinations, delusions, anxiety, and depression symptoms were significantly improved after treatment. The study also found that symptoms were not exacerbated during treatment.

An older study that compared EMDR therapy to typical prolonged exposure therapy, found that EMDR therapy was more effective in treating symptoms. The study also found that EMDR therapy had a lower dropout rate from participants. Both, however, offered a reduction in the symptoms of traumatic stress, including both anxiety and depression.

Several small studies have also found evidence that EMDR therapy is not only effective in the short term, but that its effects can be maintained long term. One 2004 study evaluated people several months after they were given either "standard care" (SC) treatment for PTSD or EMDR therapy.

During and immediately after treatment, they noticed that EMDR was significantly more efficient in reducing symptoms of PTSD. During the three- and six-month follow-ups, they also recognized that participants maintained these benefits long after the treatment had ended. Overall, the study found that EMDR therapy gave people a longer-lasting reduction in symptoms than SC.

In regard to depression, one study of 32 people conducted in an inpatient setting found that EMDR therapy shows promise in treating the disorder. The study found that 68 percent of the people in the EMDR group showed full remission after treatment. The EMDR group also showed a stronger decrease in depressive symptoms overall. Because of the small sample size, more research is needed.

EMDR therapy is considered to be safe, with many fewer side effects than those of prescription medications. That said, there are some side effects that you may experience.

EMDR therapy causes a heightened awareness of thinking which does not end immediately when a session does. This can cause light-headedness. It can also cause vivid, realistic dreams.

It often takes several sessions to treat PTSD with EMDR therapy. This means that it doesn't work overnight.

The beginning of therapy may be exceptionally triggering to people starting to deal with traumatic events, specifically because of the heightened focus. While the therapy will likely be effective in the long run, it may be emotionally stressful to move through the course of treatment.

Talk to your therapist about this when you start treatment so you'll know how to cope if you experience these symptoms.

EMDR therapy has proven to be effective in treating trauma and PTSD. It may also be able to help treat other mental conditions like anxiety, depression, and panic disorders.

Some people may prefer this treatment to prescription medications, which can have unexpected side effects. Others may find that EMDR therapy strengthens the effectiveness of their medications.

If you think EMDR therapy is right for you, make an appointment with a licensed therapist.

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What You Need to Know About EMDR Therapy

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Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an interactive psychotherapy technique used to relieve psychological stress. It is an effective treatment for trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). During EMDR therapy sessions, you relive traumatic or triggering experiences in brief doses while the therapist directs your eye movements.

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Text SHOUT to 85258 or if under 19 text YM

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Text SHOUT to 85258 or if under 19 text YM

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24/7

You can text us any time, day or night.

Confidential

Your messages with us are confidential and anonymous.

Free

It is free to text Shout from all major mobile networks in the UK.

Get involved

Donations doubled in the Big Give Christmas Challenge

Simply support Shout's Big Give campaign by midday on 5 December, and your donation will be doubled!

Can you help us hit our match funding target of £50,000 and support a further 5,000 people this winter?

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Get help

Ways to cope with upsetting events in the news

If you're feeling overwhelmed, anxious or sad about what's going on in the news, know that you're definitely not alone. Here are some actions we can take to help us cope better through times like this.

Find out more

I think Shout saved my life tonight... no one has ever made me feel so safe, listened to and understood

Shout texter

GET HELP

Online resources and support

However you're feeling right now, you don't have to face it alone. We're here to support you with your mental health.

Take a look at our resources, information and support, find further help or reach out to one of our volunteers.

Resources for you

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Shout - UK's 24/7 Crisis Text Service for Mental Health Support

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Shout 85258 is the UK's first 24/7 text service for anyone in crisis. Get free, confidential mental health support anytime, anywhere. Text 'SHOUT' to 85258.

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Calm Harm is a free app to help teenagers manage the urge to self-harm. Available on Google Play & App Store.

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for Males

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Sorry, webchat is only available in the UK but you can find info and support on our website. For details of international support helplines please visit: http://www.befrienders.org or http://www.suicide.org/international-suicide-hotlines.html

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Webchat - Campaign Against Living Miserably

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Sorry, webchat is only available in the UK but you can find info and support on our website. For details of international support helplines please visit: http://www.befrienders.org or http://www.suicide.org/international-suicide-hotlines.html

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For women of any age or background affected by self-injury, whether their own or that of a friend or family member.

Open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 7pm – 9.30pm

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If you have told us who and where you are and you gave us details of someone who is abusing you or someone else, we would have to pass that on to the authorities. We would let you know that we would have to do this. It is always your choice about whether you tell us your details and we will not ask for them. We are not able to trace calls, IP addresses or your location.

If you have told us who and where you are and you ask us to report a situation where you are at risk we can do this. However, as we are only open limited hours we recommend the agencies below who are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and are set up to do this.

National Domestic Violence and Abuse Helpline - 0808 2000 247 (FREE to call) and Webchat Service (Mon-Fri 10:00am - 4:00pm, Sat & Sun 10:00am-12:00pm)

Helpline - 0800 1111 (FREE to call).

Help and advice for young people about a wide range of issues. Webchat and email support is also available.

999 (emergency number) or 101 (non-emergency number)

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charity self-harm self-injury self harm distress trauma women girls

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For women of any age or background affected by self-injury, whether their own or that of a friend or family member. Open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 7pm - 9.30pm. All messages are answered by female volunteers who have received specialist training.

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recent YouTube clip - 13 things people who self injury (harm) want us to know 

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recent YouTube clip - 13 things people who self injury (harm) want us to know 

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13 Things People Who Self-Harm Want You To Know

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Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS) website - help for young people 

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Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS) website - help for young people 

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Great support and advice

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There is no blueprint for how we react to and cope after a suicide. We each have our own relationship with the person who died and we all grieve in our own way and at our own pace.

When someone grieves in a different way to you, it doesn't mean that they don't care - they are just finding their own way to cope. But it can be hard if they behave in a way that you can't relate to. It can also be difficult to express our own grief around others if they are reacting differently, especially if those people also had a close relationship with the person who died.

Patience and understanding is helpful and it important that you try and find somewhere you can share your feelings. And remember that there is support available from others from outside friends and family - this can provide a space to "be yourself" without having to worry about how others will react.

Read on to find out more about suicide bereavement can affect:

Partners

Losing the person you have chosen to share your life with can destroy your hopes and expectations for the future. When you lose a partner to suicide it is not unusual to experience strong feelings of rejection or betrayal - a sense that they broke your shared commitment, that they chose to leave you or that they did not feel that they could look to you for help.

"I felt I was not good enough to stay alive with...."

You are likely to have had one of the closest relationships with the deceased - physically and emotionally. If there were no indications of their intentions, you may question yourself about how you could not have noticed or feel that they deceived you by hiding it. Or if there were indications, you may feel guilty that you did not do enough. You may find yourself questioning other aspects of your relationship and worrying about how others perceive you as a partner or spouse.

It is likely that you will be grieving alongside your partner's birth family and it may be that their reactions leave you feeling blamed in part or whole for the suicide. This may be unintentional but sometimes people voice explicitly where they think that the blame lies.

"This wouldn't have happened if (s)he hadn't been with you..."

If you have children, you may find that you have to manage your experience of grief as a spouse alongside supporting your children through the loss of their parent.

In addition to the emotional impact of your bereavement, you may have practical concerns as a result of now having to cope with finances, home and family single handedly. There may need to be major changes to your life - changing or giving up your job, moving to a more affordable house or becoming a single parent.

You may also find that your social life is impacted too - the world may suddenly feel as if it is made for couples. You may find that it is difficult to contemplate developing new relationships in the future.
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Siblings

When you lose a brother or a sister, you lose someone who shared many experiences and memories and who you may have expected to be with you for most of your life. Many siblings share a deep, protective connection. You may feel very guilty that you did not do enough to help them or that you are still alive when they are not.

Siblings may find that they become isolated in the family - perhaps because the parents seek to protect their remaining children by not sharing or involving them in the experience or it could be that remaining brothers and sisters do not share fully with their parents because they do not want to provoke worry or distress.

Brothers and sisters may also feel overlooked when attention is directed towards the parents by others:

"I was completely devastated. But each time I went into the village everyone, without exception, asked me how my mum was, as if I had no feelings about it at all"

This can feel very isolating but is worth remembering that sometimes people find suicide a difficult topic and so they may use an indirect question to start to a conversation - "how is your mum?" - which may then lead to a more direct conversation.

Twins may feel an even more extreme sense of loss - emotional and physical - and may feel further isolated as so few will have a shared understanding of their experience.
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Sons and Daughters

The death of our parents is always challenging but even more so when they die by suicide. It can invoke feelings of abandonment or rejection when someone who holds a key caring and guiding role in our lives takes their own life. The loss of a parent can have a particularly damaging effect on our self esteem.

In addition to dealing with your own grief and confusion, you may also find yourself dealing with a remaining parent who is grieving for their partner. This may be the first time that you have seen them emotionally vulnerable and it can be very distressing. If you are a child, they may still be caring for you whilst dealing with their own bereavement; if you are older you may find yourself caring for them as they grieve and that the roles become reversed.

If you lose your parent as a child you may find that people around you try to protect you and exclude you from details about the death. You may not be able to grieve fully and feelings may remain undealt with. This protection may even be so extreme that you may only find out the truth about your mother or father dying by suicide many years after the event, which may lead to a lot of memory searching, questioning and a break down of trust.

For more information about supporting children during a bereavement by suicide, click here.
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Grandparents

Grandparents are vulnerable to being hidden grievers, as much of the focus is on the partner or the parents - however the relationship is very close. You are likely to also be very concerned for your own children, the parents of the deceased and want to be supportive to them. Your own grief reaction may get overlooked.
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Extended Family

You may not have been closely related however you may still be deeply affected by a suicide in your family, particularly if you had close relationship with the deceased. Other family members may not realise the depth of your grief - indeed they may look to you to provide practical help and support. However it can be very supportive to let them know how loved and appreciated the deceased was, when you feel that the time is right to share.
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Ex Partners

An earlier separation or divorce may not limit the grieving - you may still care deeply for the person or be affected even if your relationship was not good. Some aspects of your pain may be increased - for example you may fear that your separation was a contributory factor.

You may feel confused about how you are feeling, particularly if you were not on good terms prior to the death. Your grief is normal - but others may not recognise this or may assume that you are not deeply affected.
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Friends and Colleagues

Even if you are not related at all, you may still find that you are deeply affected by the suicide of a friend or colleague, particularly if you had a very close relationship or if you were part of a very close community - perhaps through education or work.

If they were a close friend you will grieve for their loss and may wonder if you could have done something to prevent their death. If your relationship was more formal (e.g. they were an employee), you may wonder if somehow you contributed to their distress. This may affect your confidence and impact your ability to manage others.

You might not realise that the suicide has had a significant impact on you - you may think that because you are not related, that you are or should not be affected in the same way. However it is important that you are able to talk about how you feel and that you seek support from your friends, family, community or elsewhere.
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Clients, Patients and Customers

If you had a professional relationship with the person who died, particularly one of a caring nature, you may experience feelings of guilt, feeling that you let them down or that you could have done something different. Your confidence may be knocked and you may find it hard to work.

It is important that you seek the appropriate supervision and support. You should always talk with your employer about occupational health or other support that they can provide to you, as well as exploring other opportunities for support.
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People who didn't know the person who died

A suicide can have an impact even if you did not know the person. It may be that you somehow became involved in what happened (e.g. you found the body) or that they were part of your community. Whatever the circumstances, it is important to recognise that the suicide of a stranger can still have a profound effect on you - it may not cause you to grieve in the same way as family and friends but it can trigger strong emotions and questions. It is important that you find someone you can talk to and seek support from.
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There is no blueprint for how we react to and cope after a suicide. We each have our own relationship with the person who died and we all grieve in our own way and at our own pace.

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Help sheet for over 65's - as high risk category 

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Help sheet for over 65's - as high risk category 

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Some distraction techniques for self injurying

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Some distraction techniques for self injurying

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Blog from someone who survived a suicide attempt but wants to step back into life - old but good!! 

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Blog from someone who survived a suicide attempt but wants to step back into life - old but good!! 

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By JD Schramm*
In my TED Talk, I acknowledged for the first time that, in 2003, I tried to end my life. I wanted to share this in a public setting because 19 out of 20 people who attempt suicide will fail - and those that make the difficult decision to come back to life need openness from their loved ones and a lot of resources. Perhaps that's what you are in need of right now.

JD Schramm: Break the silence for suicide attempt survivorsMy journey cannot be your journey. And while there are probably great gaps in our specific experiences, there is likely some overlap too. In the process of thinking about my experience, a few themes have emerged which I think have a more universal application. If you have others, by all means add them to the list; if some of these do not work for you, then simply attempt the ones which do.

Live Simply. Avoid the material trappings of a fabulous life, but rather find joy in simple things - walks on the beach, instrumental music, or fresh flowers. Choose what works for you. For example I shared an apartment with a roommate, rather than trying to buy a place or live alone to keep my life simpler.

Cultivate Sacred Spaces. Have a corner of your room which is ideal for reading, journaling, praying or meditating. Find a church or temple or park or art gallery where you can go easily in the midst of a pressure-filled day to "recompose" yourself.

Journal Regularly. This has been vital for me; I have a friend who, at the very least, jots down the time he goes to bed. Sometimes he can get another word, or sentence, or paragraph, or page written... but he's developed a discipline to at least begin. Don't just journal the bad, but record the joys and the progress. I often paste simple items (ticket stubs, plane tickets, business cards) from the day onto the page facing what I wrote for the day as a visual remembrance.

Create Works of Beauty. Whatever moves you: do it. Throw pottery, weave tapestries, take photos, learn to dance - the medium (or how good you are) doesn't matter, but find a way to get outside yourself regularly.

Abstain from Substances. Even if addiction is not one of your issues, I'd urge you to eliminate drugs and alcohol from your first year back from an attempt. It dulls the pain, yes, but it also can steal from you the chance to live fully your feelings. Tackle life's joys and setbacks head on - without the false help a drink, a joint, or a line can provide.

Assemble Your Dream Team. The exact nature of who you need to help you will depend on the issues you are facing. But strive to put a small and committed group of people in your corner to assist you with the physical, social, spiritual, and personal healing which is needed. Be entirely honest with them so that they know your successes as well as your setbacks.

Manage your Primary Illness. Whether it is depression, addiction, bi-polarity, an eating disorder, or something else which brought you to the brink of death, it requires your primary and unwavering focus. If you put anything (a boyfriend or job or volunteer commitment) ahead of managing your primary illness ... you will likely lose that very thing you thought was more important.

Find A Caring Community. Seek out others with similar needs and develop a network you can rely on. Those of us who are in recovery can find this in an AA or CMA meeting, you may need to locate a support group, join a small group at church, or seek an online community of others who get the depths and severity of what you face.

Avoid Dating. You need to first get at ease in your own skin before trying to be intimate with another again. If you are already in an intimate relationship, it is often advised to not get out of this relationship until you are stronger. Consider your "relationship bone" to be in a splint and cast for a while. You need to go easy on it until it is strong enough to handle more weight.

Earn a Modest Income. Be sure your basic needs are met, so as not to add financial pressures to your life, but this is not a season to be closing huge deals, seeing great raises, or starting new and demanding jobs. In essence, during this season (likely a year or so) your full-time job is recovering your life. There will be time in the future when you can be more dedicated to a demanding job and/or fulfilling career.

Comply with Prescriptions. This is especially necessary as it regards anti-depressants. Only reduce or increase your meds under the specific guidance of your doctor. There are terrible tales of patients who begin to recover, with the help of today's psychiatric drugs, and then feel they no longer need them and simply cease using them and weeks later end up suicidal. These meds have helped millions, but are powerful change agents in our life. Use them with care and strict adherence to what your doctor says.

Share your Story Selectively. It is critical that you create trust with others before sharing your story entirely. Certainly be fully honest with your "dream team," but you may find others (employers, roommates, bowling buddies, even family members) don't need and don't want the full details.

Optimize this Time of Strength. Have conversations with loved ones when you are strong and tell them what to watch for if you "backslide." Give them guidance as to what you may need but not ask for, should a crisis happen in the future. Some patients have actually created advanced directives of what close friends or family can/should do. As Kay Jamison in Night Falls Fast points out:

"Patients who decide, when rational, that if they again become suicidal they wish to be hospitalized or receive antipsychotic medications or undergo electroconvulsive therapy, but who also know that they are unlikely, when ill, to consent to this, may in some areas of the country draw up "Odysseus" arrangements. Based on the mythic character's request to be strapped to the mast of his ship so that he might avoid the inevitable call of the Sirens, Odysseus agreements (or advanced instruction directives) allow patients to agree to certain treatments in advance."

Eliminate Easy Access to Destructive Means. Get the pills, guns, and booze out of the house. It is imperative that you clean house (literally) while you are in a place of strength, possibly with a trusted friend helping you. Don't leave a "back door unlocked" which could undo all your good work later on when things get tough.

Be Gentle With Yourself. Strive for incremental progress, but don't beat yourself up over a bounced check or missed appointment. The 12 step literature urges "spiritual progress not spiritual perfection." All of us who are recovering from a serious suicide attempt are doing a remarkable thing as we reclaim our life. Take heart in your progress, celebrate and rejoice in the small victories. For the first year after my attempt, on the 11th of each month, I'd go out and buy a CD for my collection. Typically show tunes ... what can I say?

*This excerpt is from a longer manuscript I wrote as part of my journey back to life. I hope to publish the entire story of my journey soon, but wanted to get this out to people now. That's why I chose to put this out as a blog post first.

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By JD Schramm* In my TED Talk, I acknowledged for the first time that, in 2003, I tried to end my life. I wanted to share this in a public setting because 19 out of 20 people who attempt suicide will fail - and those that make the difficult decision to come back to life need openness from their loved ones and a lot of resources.

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A recent blog on someone dealing with self injury (harm) during Covid-19

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A recent blog on someone dealing with self injury (harm) during Covid-19

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Huge thanks to Hattie Porter for writing this compassionate and powerful blog on her experiences in the current situation which resonate for many.

You can follow Hattie on Twitter @hattieporter_

I am writing this because I need to read this.

Right now I am scared. The world is moving at a pace I can't keep up with and my mind is racing even faster.

Right now, we are all overwhelmed and anxious, we are all struggling in different ways. But a lot of us were already struggling, already finding the world too loud. In times of crisis, other crises don't go away out of politeness.

I am not alone in finding the situation with COVID-19 has heightened my anxiety and everything I was already struggling with. As someone with OCD who has spent a lifetime navigating crisis and distress, this is bringing up a lot of emotions and memories and fears that I don't know how to cope with. In the absence of most of my coping mechanisms surrounded by so much uncertainty and so little control a big part of me is wanting to turn to self-harm.

This is not the first time I have 'socially distanced'. I've had years where I was too scared to leave the house, years detained on psychiatric wards. It took a long time and a lot of hard work to survive this and to get to the point I'm at today. It scares me how much this is starting to feel like this is unravelling, I'm back in the place I was then.

I have self-harmed in one way or another for most of my life, but it has always spiked in times of greater stress. Self-harm has a coping mechanism but for me was also a compulsion, a central part of my OCD and how I managed intrusive thoughts. Now I am scared of falling back into the patterns I felt trapped in for so many years and worked so hard to escape.

The virus COVID-19 has serious physical impacts but a pandemic has endless secondary social and psychological symptoms. For those of us who are struggling, our usual experiences now feel magnified a million times. Isolation is not good for anyone's mental health but for those of us who already feel at the edge, it feels a lot more scary.

Many of us have lost our usual support. Can't do the things that usually help us like spending time with friends or having a routine. A lot of us are feeling lost and forgotten now. Most of the time I feel like I'm doing some kind of balancing act, standing at the edge of a cliff doing anything I can to stay upright. Over the past few years I've learnt how to keep myself balanced, but now it feels like everything I usually hold onto has been pulled away.

I felt worried about writing this. It feels self-centred to be so focused on what I'm going through amidst the scale of a pandemic. But that's exactly why I need to write this. Because I am not the only one feeling like this. Because sometimes just hearing an echo of your own thoughts is enough to feel less alone for a little while.

During this time it is more important than ever to be kind, to ourselves and others. I am trying as hard as I can to be gentle and patient with myself. I have self-harmed, and that's okay. I am trying my best and sometimes my best is a struggle. I am aiming to get through each day and that is enough for now.

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charity self-harm self-injury self harm distress trauma women girls

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I am writing this because I need to read this - guest blog from Hattie Porter

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I felt worried about writing this. It feels self-centred to be so focused on what I'm going through amidst the scale of a pandemic. But that's exactly why I need to write this. Because I am not the only one feeling like this.

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Stranger on the Bridge by Jonny Benjamin MBE and Neil Laybourn

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Social media may have an impact to those that are already vulnerable 

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Social media may have an impact to those that are already vulnerable 

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By Jane Wakefield
Technology reporter

Video-sharing site TikTok is struggling to take down clips showing a man killing himself.

The footage, which has been circulating on the platform for several days, originated on Facebook and has also been shared on Twitter and Instagram.

TikTok is hugely popular with young people - and many have reported coming across the video and being traumatised by the content.

The app said it would ban accounts repeatedly uploading clips.

'Warned others'

"Our systems have been automatically detecting and flagging these clips for violating our policies against content that displays, praises, glorifies, or promotes suicide," a representative said.

"We appreciate our community members who've reported content and warned others against watching, engaging or sharing such videos on any platform, out of respect for the person and their family."

Facebook told BBC News: "We removed the original video from Facebook last month, on the day it was streamed, and have used automation technology to remove copies and uploads since that time.

"Our thoughts remain with Ronnie's family and friends during this difficult time."

'My daughter could have post traumatic stress disorder'

On Monday, Brenda's 14-year-old daughter came running down the stairs. She was covering her mouth, crying and saying she was going to be sick.

"She was in such a state, shaking like a leaf and properly sobbing," Brenda, who lives near Edinburgh, told the BBC.

"I have never seen her that distressed. It was horrific and took ages to get the words out of her."

Brenda explained that her daughter had seen the suicide video after it appeared within the recommended clips of TikTok's For You section.

"She was scrolling through songs and funny videos when a bearded man in a white shirt appears behind a desk," the mother recalled, saying shortly after he was seen to kill himself.

"I have heard about trolling and nasty things but this tops it all. I phoned the police but they reminded me that it is not their job to police the internet.

"My daughter was in a state of shock, still is in a state of shock and this could stay with her for months."

Since the incident, she added, her daughter had slept with the light on and kept reliving the images she had seen. She added that her daughter felt scared to leave the house and was missing a day of school as a result.

Sensationalising self-harm

It is reported that some users are sharing the video, disguised behind images of kittens or other content. Others have put together their own videos warning about the content and urging people to delete it.

TikTok's algorithms often recommend content from people not directly followed by a user.

Several people have streamed their suicides on Facebook Live since its 2015 launch.

Facebook, which owns Instagram, has also faced criticism that the platform shares content sensationalising self-harm and suicide.

After the death of Molly Russell, in 2017, her father said Instagram had "helped kill his daughter".

The BBC has information on what to do if children see something upsetting online here

For information and support on mental health and suicide, access the BBC Action Line.

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TikTok tries to remove widely shared suicide clip

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By Jane Wakefield Technology reporter Video-sharing site TikTok is struggling to take down clips showing a man killing himself. The footage, which has been circulating on the platform for several days, originated on Facebook and has also been shared on Twitter and Instagram.

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or email jo@samaritans.org and get a reply within 24hours

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If you're going through a tough time, contact us free. We won't judge you or tell you what to do. We are here to listen so you don't have to face it alone.

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Fact sheets from the Lifesigns  website 

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Fact sheets from the Lifesigns  website 

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Employers

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54 pages however, understanding North Wales plan 

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54 pages however, understanding North Wales plan 

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North Wales Suicide and Self Harm Prevention Strategic Plan