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41

Research Topics / Repetitive self-harm study - Research participants needed

« Last post by MWresearch on September 14, 2022, 01:50:47 PM »

  Seeking research participants for doctoral thesis into repetitive self-harm 

• Are you aged 18 or above with experience of repetitive self harm?
• We define repetitive self-harm as more than 5 times within one year

We are keen to hear about your experiences of repetitive self-harm and your thoughts about factors which contribute to repetitive self-harm, through 1:1 interviews with the lead researcher. These interviews can be conducted via Zoom, over the phone or face to face - whatever you would prefer.

My name is Millie Witcher, I am a Trainee Clinical Psychologist with lived experience of repetitive self-harm. I am the lead researcher on this study. The research is for my PhD thesis and has received ethical approval from the University of Hertfordshire ethics committee.

Participation in this study is paid, in the form of a £10 voucher.

Please get in touch to find out more! 

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @DClin_SelfHarm

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Archived research topics / Health Needs Assessment - Devon. Sept-Oct 2022

« Last post by Rob on September 06, 2022, 03:40:31 PM »

We are helping Public Health Devon create a Health Needs Assessment specifically for groups affected by self-harm across Devon.
 
The information gathered in this questionnaire will be used to:

- Map current services and support already in place for parents/guardians, carers and siblings of people who self-harm/have self-harmed across Devon.
- Collate views of parents/guardians, carers and siblings (where possible and appropriate) of people who self-harm/have self-harmed in Devon
- Provide evidence of gaps and giving suggestions for service/support and system improvements in Devon (particularly around improving access to information and support)
 
Therefore, we ask you to please complete/share the following survey (5-10mins to complete) with your networks of parents/families/carers, and professionals working in this support/service.
 
Survey For Families/Carers - https://forms.gle/DqbqCJr5VcjfeiDq9
 
Survey For Professionals - https://forms.gle/jnAXe1oxMsU5Z3sn7

This survey will be open between 1st September – 15th October.
 
In order to produce the most accurate Health Needs Assessment for self-harm across Devon we need as many voices involved as possible, so we thank you for your support.

Chloe Lawson
Project Coordinator-YMHF
www.YouthMentalHealthFou ndation.org

43

Survivor Room / Re: Post covid socialising (Grumble)

« Last post by Vermilion on July 31, 2022, 02:51:37 PM »

Thank you! I do live close to the local park run but it's clashing with something else at the moment. I'm hoping to attend in a few weeks time when things have settled down. The is for the info, I had no idea about park runs!

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Survivor Room / Re: Post covid socialising (Grumble)

« Last post by Gerard on July 27, 2022, 09:22:59 PM »

Do you live near any parkruns? https://www.parkrun.org.uk

You can walk, run or volunteer or a combination of.

I've been going for 6 years. It's very social and people aren't glued to their phones and actually talk to each other. I highly recommend, it's a got a huge community feel, fun and welcoming. All body types and ages.

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Survivor Room / Post covid socialising (Grumble)

« Last post by Vermilion on July 25, 2022, 06:37:29 PM »

 

So, as everyone here knows, I've been in DBT for a while and part of this is to 'build a life worth living and for me this meant connecting with others more, I.e socialising. I'm trying,  I really am but there's nothing in my area due to this covid crap STILL messing things up! I've tried looking for fitness/sports classes, martial arts, volunteering and even arts and crafts which im utterly crap at! I've downloaded apps such as meetup and the like. There is jackshit in my area! I've emailed several places, I've tried their websites, some I've just walked in and asked (which is extremely difficult for me to do) and there is nothing even remotely social that doesn't involve alcohol. Loads  of places have closed due to covid and those that aren't are still offering only one on one training which I can do by myself anyway by running (when able) and cross training. The whole purpose is to make connections and friends, people who are share an interest with me so one on one training isn't going to help that. Why is covid such a big issue still, we don't even have to wear masks anymore (other than in hospitals) so there's no need for social distance like there was. 

Also, I haven't had much chance to practice any of the interpersonal skills that I have learned/am currently learning because nothing is up and running around here still! 
I'm going to ask my CC if she knows of anything, my DBT therapist is off and I don't know if I have another one or not (which I'm speaking to CC about on Friday) but this is b***** ridiculous! I admit that I'm restricted due to medical issues and lack of transport but there's nothing even within an hours walk that I'm able to do.
I don't think that there's any solution but I nonetheless needed to rant and maybe someone understands my frustration? I'm just trying to make some real life friends.

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Survivor Room / Re: If there was a cure for autism...

« Last post by Gerard on July 14, 2022, 05:22:34 PM »

Any autistic people here doing an autism related PhD?

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Survivor Room / Re: why not? *TRIG SH*

« Last post by iris on June 17, 2022, 06:35:12 PM »

that makes a lot of sense, thankyou ^_^
having had quite a lot of health anxiety sometimes, i am quite careful to make things as safe as possible

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Survivor Room / Re: If there was a cure for autism...

« Last post by Natlovbi on June 17, 2022, 04:54:00 PM »

Hi
I'm ASD and have only known for a year. It was the best thing that has happened to me to be honest now that I know. I spent a very long time being stopped from stimming or being told that it was wrong and all mental health related. So now that I have more of an understanding I wouldn't even go for a cure if there was one available. I focus on my strengths and then work on ways are coping with my sensory issues and social understanding as I progress.

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Survivor Room / Re: why not? *TRIG SH*

« Last post by Natlovbi on June 17, 2022, 04:50:24 PM »

Hi
I understand what you mean in a way. It doesn't resolve things but for me it's helpful (odd way to put it I know). To be honest I wish I had never started over a decade ago. I go through phases and agree about the being safe, minimising risk, first aid supplies etc. For me it's about reducing the self harm at the moment rather than stopping but that will be the overall goal in the future.

50

Survivor Room / Re: why not? *TRIG SH*

« Last post by Vermilion on June 17, 2022, 10:22:26 AM »

There are a few reasons for me but I think the biggest reason for me to stop was the risks of it, I may not have intended to end things but it could've happened due to either the extent of the injury or the resulting infections and there were longer term effects of the injuries such as itching, scarring and possible mobility issues depending on what and where the injury was. While it started off fairly minor and wasn't much of a problem it did escalate to the point where it became life threatening at times. A life revolving around A&E, b**n units, dressing changes and the like isn't a great life to be honest.

Another factor was that by self harming I wasn't dealing with the emotions properly  and it was doing little to help in the long term regardless of severity. As I got older I never learned to cope with various aspects of life such as work, relationships, bereavement etc and I just relied on self harm more and more which is likely why it escalated to the extend that it did.  I'm gradually gaining better function in these areas of life by learning to understand and deal with emotions effectively rather than just suppressing them through self harm.

I think that while it could appear as a positive or helpful thing it's usually a symptom of other issues or illnesses which will need to be addressed. It's not an easy process and will need professional intervention and when you start that process is, of course, up to you. I will say that if you are going to be self harming keep it safe; minimise the damage, keep it clean, keep first aid supplies, keep emergency money for late night hospital trips and get medical attention when you need it.