{"id":2113,"date":"2023-03-13T15:50:29","date_gmt":"2023-03-13T15:50:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/mash-project\/?page_id=2113"},"modified":"2023-03-20T10:57:59","modified_gmt":"2023-03-20T10:57:59","slug":"common-myths","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/mash-project\/common-myths\/","title":{"rendered":"Self-harm: common myths and misconceptions"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” fullwidth=”on” next_background_color=”#000000″ global_module=”322″][et_pb_fullwidth_menu global_parent=”322″ _builder_version=”3.0.106″ menu_id=”7″ submenu_direction=”downwards” fullwidth_menu=”off” background_layout=”dark” module_class=”main-navigation” \/][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”off” specialty=”off” transparent_background=”off” allow_player_pause=”off” inner_shadow=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” make_equal=”off” use_custom_gutter=”off” custom_padding=”||0px|” prev_background_color=”#ffffff” next_background_color=”#ffffff”][et_pb_row allow_player_pause=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” parallax_1=”off” parallax_method_1=”off” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” use_custom_gutter=”off” make_equal=”off” custom_margin=”||0px|” custom_padding=”||0px|” module_class=”breadcrumbs-row” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Breadcrumbs (do not remove)” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” module_class=”breadcrumbs” custom_css_main_element=”border-bottom: 1px solid #ececed;” module_alignment=”left” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”]<\/p>\nThe Manchester Self-Harm Project<\/a><\/span><\/span>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”off” specialty=”on” transparent_background=”off” allow_player_pause=”off” inner_shadow=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” parallax_1=”off” parallax_method_1=”off” parallax_2=”off” parallax_method_2=”off” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” make_equal=”off” use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ prev_background_color=”#ffffff” next_background_color=”#1d1d1d”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_sidebar admin_label=”Left Nav Sidebar” area=”et_pb_widget_area_1″ orientation=”left” remove_border=”on” background_layout=”light” module_id=”left-nav-menu” show_border=”off” \/][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ specialty_columns=”2″][et_pb_row_inner admin_label=”Row”][et_pb_column_inner type=”4_4″ saved_specialty_column_type=”2_3″][et_pb_text background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” module_alignment=”left” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n

Self-harm: common myths and misconceptions<\/h1>\n

There are several common myths and misconceptions surrounding self-harm, including the following.<\/p>\n

1) Self-harm is a suicide attempt<\/h2>\n

This is not always true. People self-harm for many different reasons. Research with people who self-harm has suggested that people often harm themselves as a way of getting relief from particularly distressing emotions or overwhelming situations, while other people may self-harm to communicate distress.<\/p>\n

Self-harm may or may not involve suicidal intent, but all people who self-harm should be treated with compassion.<\/p>\n

2) Self-harm is just attention seeking<\/h2>\n

Self-harm is often a private and hidden behaviour. People who do seek help following self-harm are often in crisis, and should be treated with compassion and respect.<\/p>\n

3) Talking about suicide and self-harm increases the risk of suicide and self-harm<\/h2>\n

Talking about suicide and suicidal thoughts will not plant an idea that was not there before. Many people who are contemplating suicide or who self-harm are relieved to be able to talk about it to an understanding listener.<\/p>\n

4) Self-harm behaviour should be stopped immediately<\/h2>\n

Although an ideal goal might be to stop self-harming behaviour completely, this may be a long process, in particular if someone has used self-harm to help manage distress.<\/p>\n

Reduction of self-harm and\/or use of less dangerous or damaging methods might be appropriate as an initial step to eventually stopping self-harm. This is shown in the following quote by a clinician, taken from the Truth Hurts report into self-harm among young people.<\/p>\n

“The most important thing is not to tell people to stop, but to listen to them, find out what they need to stop and help them find ways of achieving that. This way, people heal in their own time.”<\/p>\n

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Contact Us<\/h4>\n

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Manchester Self-Harm Project
Room 2.316, Jean McFarlane Building
The University of Manchester
Oxford Road
Manchester M13 9PL, UK<\/p>\n

Tel: +44 (0)161 275 0719<\/a>
Email:\u00a0mash@manchester.ac.uk<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Find Us<\/h4>\n

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The University of Manchester
Oxford Rd
Manchester
M13 9PL
UK<\/a><\/p>\n

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