Support is available for anyone who self-harms or thinks about self-harm, as well as their friends and family.
To get support, it's best to talk to a GP about self-harm.
But you may also find it helpful to:
Urgent advice: Talk to your GP if you are:
- harming yourself
- having thoughts about harming yourself
- worried about minor injuries, such as small cuts or burns - without treatment there is a risk of infection
It's important to get support or treatment as soon as possible to help with why you self-harm.
How a GP can help with self-harm
It's important for anyone who self-harms to talk to their GP.
A GP:
- will listen to you
- can give you advice
- will talk with you about the best options for you
- may recommend self-help
- may tell you about support groups
- can treat minor injuries
If needed, a GP can refer you for an assessment with:
- a community mental health team (CMHT) - if you are 18 or over
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) - if you are under 18
What to expect at your GP appointment
Your GP will ask you about your feelings in some detail.
They'll want to find out:
- why you self-harm, what triggers it, and how you feel afterwards
- if you have a mental health difficulty such as depression or anxiety
- if the way you self-harm follows a pattern of behaviour
They may check your height, weight and blood pressure. They may ask about any drinking or drug-taking habits.
It's important to be honest with your GP about ways you self-harm and your feelings. If you do not know why you self-harm, tell your GP this.
Get immediate help for an injury or overdose
Some physical injuries may need to be treated at an emergency department (ED). For example, if somebody is unconscious.
What to expect at the ED
If you go to the ED after self-harming, you will:
- Get any medical treatment you need.
- Have a mental health assessment with a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse before leaving hospital.
If you just need to talk
These services offer confidential support from trained volunteers. You can talk about anything that's troubling you, no matter how difficult.
Phone a helpline
These free helplines are there to help when you're feeling down or low.
Unless it says otherwise, they're open 24 hours a day, every day.
You can also call these helplines for advice if you're worried about someone else.
At any time you can:
- freephone the Samaritans: 116 123
- freephone Pieta: 1800 247 247
- freephone Childline if you are 17 and under: 1800 666 666
Message
If you do not want to talk to someone over the phone, there are text lines and emails you can message.
Unless it says otherwise, they're open 24 hours a day, every day.
You can:
- text HELP to 51444 - standard message rates apply (Pieta)
- free text HELLO to 50808 (Text About It)
- WhatsApp (Text About It)
- text HELLO to 086 180 0280 (Text About It - for 48, An Post and Clear Mobile customers)
- email jo@samaritans.ie
If you are 17 and under you can contact Childline:
- text 50101
- select Live Chat on childline.ie
More supports
Jigsaw
Mental health advice and support for young people age 12 to 25, and for parents or concerned adults.
Content supplied by the NHS and adapted for Ireland by the HSE