Close to 4 in 10 (36.8%) of young people are reported to have tried to harm themselves (NHS England Mental Health of Children and Young People in England 2023 report).
NHS England further found that children and young people with a probable mental disorder were significantly more likely to try to harm themselves (69.5%) compared with those unlikely to have a mental disorder (21.3%).
Self-harm is also an important risk factor for subsequent suicide attempts. One in seven adults who complete suicide have been treated for self-harm in the preceding year (Olfsen et al, 2017, 2018).
Sadly, this damaging myth keeps self-harm in the shadows, stopping young people from seeking help and significant adults in their lives from knowing how to reach out and support them.
#FromShadowsToSupport – Stop Stigmatising Pain
stem4 wants to open up the conversation about self-harm so that young people and those who care for them can access help in order to prevent self-harming behaviours.
If you or your organisation wants to spread awareness, then download our social media pack HERE and join us in posting on Self-Harm Awareness Day (1st of March) to help young people move #FromShadowsToSupport to prevent and access help for self-harming behaviours.
Your Struggle Is Real and So is Our Support
In 2015, stem4 launched its first mental health app, Calm Harm (which has since been downloaded over 3 million times), to provide an evidence-based tool that could provide immediate help for young people urging to self-harm.
Calm Harm was created by a leading clinician in response to the lack of mental health support young people were receiving from traditional mental health services.
This evidence-based app was developed by Dr Nihara Krause MBE, a Consultant Clinical Psychologist, in collaboration with young people, using strategies from Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) to help users learn to identify and manage their ‘emotional mind’, plus teaching impulse control, emotional regulation and how to track the underlying triggers to harmful urges. The app meets rigorous NHS compliance criteria and, as per all stem4 apps meets the Age Appropriate Design Code Standard.
Additionally, Combined Minds is an app for parents and carers who are supporting a young person with a mental health difficulty, including self-harm. The app uses a strengths based approach which provides an opportunity to focus on the strengths of a young person to help engage and encourage alternative behaviours to self-harm.
While these apps alone are not a substitute for the assessment and individualised treatment by a health/mental health professional, they have been proven to be effective in helping young people resist the urge to self-harm. Find out more about our apps here.
Last year, Calm Harm reduced 107,100 urges to self-harm. That’s a big number, but we’re not stopping there.
India and thousands of young people have been helped because of the generous donations of individuals and organisations like yourself.
Like many charities, stem4 has been impacted by the current financial situation. We are determined to continue expanding our support services for young people in need. However, we need YOU.
By donating to stem4, you can make a significant difference in the lives of young individuals struggling with their mental health. Your contribution will enable us to offer them the right help and support they desperately need.
4 Ways You Can Help
We estimate that for every £5 donated, Calm Harm helps to manage 15 instances of Self-Harm. Your money helps provide young people all over the UK with an evidence-based resource that is proven to help reduce the urge immediately.
For Self-Harm Awareness Day we are encouraging people to donate £5 and nominate 5 people to do the same.
Join our social media campaign #FromShadowsToSupport or help us generally by sharing our posts and spreading the word about the work that stem4 does.
Download our social media pack HERE and copy and paste the below message to encourage others to join us in helping young people move #FromShadowsToSupport.
“Youth mental health charity stem4 is fundraising for their work in making a significant difference in the lives of young individuals struggling with their mental health. On the 1st of March they are encouraging people to donate £5 and nominate 5 people to do the same! Come join us.
I thought of you because [I know you are passionate about mental health] [you may be interested in doing something kind] [I know this is a cause that is very close to you] [you are my friend and this is a cause I am very passionate about]
Could you donate £5 (https://stem4.org.uk/donate/) and encourage 5 others to do the same?”
As a small charity we always need people who are willing to do amazing things to raise money for us. The money you raise will have an immediate and significant impact on the work we can offer to young people. Visit our fundraising page or email fundraising@stem4.org.uk to let us know what you are planning!
stem4 has benefitted from the generous support of numerous corporate partners. We require assistance in a whole range of ways, from financial support, to expertise and awareness-raising – if there is a young person in your life, please help us to support them and their peers by reaching out to see how you can help us. You might be surprised how far your support can go.
Click here to send an expression of interest [enquiries@stem4.org.uk].
If you or are struggling or you know someone who is struggling with self-harm take steps it is important to speak to a responsible adult or see a doctor. You can also contact Childline (0800 1111), Samaritans (116 123) or 111 for support. Find out more about self-harm here.
Visit this page for further advice.
