Funded by Choose Life Edinburgh, Penumbra has opened a project in Edinburgh for young people who self-harm.
Area Served (geographical and population)
The Project focuses on the support needs of 16-25 year olds who self-harm in the City of Edinburgh.
Type of Project
The project looks to providing a non-judgemental, young people friendly and user led support service to young people who self-harm in Edinburgh. It also explores the needs of family/carers and professional in contact with them.
Project Aims
Provide a service with which young people who self-harm will engage to help them explore issues around their self-harm thereby reducing their higher risk of suicide. The project is committed to recognising that young people are the experts in their own lives.
Project Objectives
- Establish and support the development of individual support and support groups for young people who self-harm.
- Explore the needs of parents/carers and professionals in relation to self-harm.
- Liaise with agencies working with groups particularly affected i.e Looked After, Homeless, LGBT etc.
- Bring together the interested groups around common issues to inform the future development of services to young people who self-harm.
- Establish links with and keep appropriate planning groups informed of developments.
- Promote good practice in this field across all agencies.
- Promote the involvement of young people who self-harm in informing future planning in this field.
- Make accessible and available resource material for organisations and individuals.
- Liaise with other interested groups locally, nationally and internationally.
- Collaborate with local press and media to reduce stigma and inform the general population on the needs of this group.
What We Do
We have appointed three workers, a support manager, Davy McLeish, and two project workers, to develop and support a young people-led support service for young people who self-harm in Edinburgh including:-
- 1:1 Support
- Groupwork
- Develop training on self-harm for a range of agencies
- Liaison with agencies in contact with young people to identify and respond to particularly "at risk" groups
The Project works alongside a range of agencies working with young people to help young people address the underlying issues which lead them to self-harm and ultimately reduce the suicide risk among this group. This includes helping young people and agencies identify the most appropriate type of support and signpost people in these directions.
How do I refer?
We accept self referrals and refer from any agency, preferably those in contact with homeless young people, LGBT and looked after children and young people. The referral process is either by phone or in writing to Davy McLeish at the address below. To download a referral form click here.
Activities
We plan to organise group sessions every Wednesday afternoon, which will include social activities and arts - watch this space!
Announcement
Penumbra is organising in collaboration with Parentline a support group for parents of those who self-harm throughout Scotland. The next meeting will be on 31st October 2007 from 6.00 pm until 8.00 pm at Children 1st, 83 Whitehouse Loan. Everyone is welcome. Please contact Maria Naranjo on 0131 475 2561 or email maria.naranjo@penumbra.org.uk.
Click here to read the Edinburgh Self-Harm Project's Annual Report 2005-2006.
For further information contact:
Davy McLeish
Support Manager
Edinburgh Self Harm Project
114 St Stephen's Street
Edinburgh
EH3 5AD
Tel 0131 226 3661
E-mail: david.mcleish@penumbra.org.uk
© Penumbra, 2003. All rights reserved.
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