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Stephen Finlayson
Head of Innovation and Improvement
The Scottish Government has announced its commitment to a national self-harm strategy for Scotland. Stephen Finlayson comments for Penumbra on this news.
This is a welcome announcement from the Scottish Government on plans for Scotland to become the first country in the world with a dedicated strategy to supporting people who experience self-harm.
Currently the national picture remains fragmented and many people continue to experience stigmatised attitudes. In addition to support, there’s an urgent need for more research to really understand the factors that lead people to feel the only way to manage their emotional distress is by causing harm to themselves.
Currently the national picture remains fragmented and many people continue to experience stigmatised attitudes.
A coherent national approach will take this a long way forward. Key to this process will be listening to and working alongside people with lived and living experience of self-harm.
At Penumbra, we support many people who self-harm in locations across Scotland each year and we know that with good, compassionate support, there is real hope for people who self-harm. Accessing the right support at the right time is critical.
