Help is out there for those who self harm

Being a teenager is a really difficult time for many, with puberty causing raging hormones which in turn can lead to anger, frustration and bouts of depression.

For the majority of young people, they can deal with these unexpected feelings by expressing themselves to their families and friends, by using creative outlets like music and writing, or by using exercise to de-stress themselves. However, for some teenagers, puberty isn't the only issue they face. They might be experiencing extreme levels of bullying, going through their parents' divorce, or having to cope with bereavement for the first time.

With such turbulence in their lives, some young people feel the only way they can cope is by self harming – it's an outlet for the extreme emotions they are experiencing. Self harm can take many forms, such as cutting, scratching, burning, poisoning or pulling out hair or eyebrows. It is an activity which, in the most part, is done in secret without the knowledge of their loved ones, and can often go on for many weeks, months or even years.

It is important for young people to remember that they are not alone or going mad when they have been self harming – and there is help available. In East Anglia, there is self harm support in Colchester at The Junction in Maldon Road and Teen Talk in Dovercourt for those in Tendring.

For self harm help in Colchester, you can also visit your GP, while if you would rather seek support online you can visit www.essexhealth.co.uk which is packed with advice about all sorts of issues affecting young people

As well as avenues of self harm support in Colchester, those affected can also make small changes in their own lives to enable them to stop. These can include writing a diary about how you feel in a certain situation and what causes you to self harm or perhaps talking to friends and family or listening to music.

Physical exercise can also be vital in transforming your mental outlook as it releases endorphins, a "feel good" chemical in the brain which will put you in a better mood and enable you to see things more rationally and clearly. Similarly, healthy eating will help you to feel more balanced with less peaks and troughs in your blood sugar levels.

There are many avenues of support available to you – please do take advantage of the help available and, perhaps most importantly, remember that you are not alone and that you will get through this difficult period in your life.  

Colchester Self Harm Support

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