Web chat service helps more than 1,000 people with self-harm issues

An Edinburgh-based charity says its helped more than 1,000 people dealing with issues of self-harm since launching a web chat service a year ago.

Self-Harm Network Scotland (SHNS) operates in the evenings seven days a week and provides users with advice and support.

Julia, among the dozens of volunteers at the charity, helps monitor a live-chat for those dealing with self-harm, aged 12 and over.

She told STV News: “I have been affected by self-harming in the past, so that’s kind of where my motivation came to get involved with this charity.

“I do think it makes a difference but some of the volunteers, they can be really good too even if they don’t have that personal experience. For example, some of the volunteers studied something related to mental health – I don’t think it’s a requirement but it definitely helps.”

The most recent Scottish Health Survey reported that 25% of 16-24-year-olds and 10% of adults said they had self-harmed.

Date also suggests cases are on the rise.

The live-chat is a service designed by PENUMBRA mental health and funded by the Scottish Government.

Several volunteers are on each shift, as well as a trained peer practitioner.

Darren, SHNS Network Manager, said: “What we were finding is there is still a lot of stigma around self-harm, a lot of hesitance to access support services, and also for people who were getting regular support, the evening time was really difficult for them and they weren’t able to access that support.

“From those conversations and learning about those gaps, we came up with the live chat.”

Since launching last year the web service has hosted more than 1,200 conversation, which on average last around 29 minutes.

Help and support is available now if you need it. Details of services available can be found at stv.tv/advice

When life is difficult, Samaritans are here – day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org, or visitwww.samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.