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Our Edinburgh Self-Harm Support Service can offer you compassionate support and a safe space if you’re experiencing self-harm. The service is for people aged 16 and over in Edinburgh.
How does it work?
The project offers a flexible service that generally consists of one weekly session lasting an hour. The service offers:
- one-to-one support
- group workshops related to mental health and wellbeing
- parent/carer support
- a skin camouflage service
- training and awareness raising sessions related to self-harm
This service allows you to:
- be listened to and not judged
- be treated with respect
- be given the time and space to discuss issues at your own pace
- receive support to explore skill development
- explore tools to support you to self-manage
Our one-to-one support is there for people living with self-harm and, or experiencing thoughts of suicide. Some of our team are employed in peer support roles which means we may have some understanding of what you might be experiencing. Our approach is to give you a safe and compassionate space to discuss issues at your own pace. We’ll support you to explore ways of managing the self-harm in a way that works for you.
What’s the skin camouflage service?
Available for people living with scarring, as a result of self-harm, that effects their appearance and confidence. There are a range of products which may help to reduce the appearance of scarring. These products are topical and fully removable. Our service is here to help people gain self-confidence and independence. Your GP will be recommended the camouflage creams on prescription.
For more information please email: Skincamouflage.Edin@penumbra.org.uk
How to access self-harm support
I’m the person self-harming:
If you’d like to access support for yourself, please send us a completed referral form. This is called self-referral. Please let us know if you need any support in completing the form. If you’d like more information or have a question, please contact us by email or phone.
I’m a parent or carer:
If you’re a parent, carer or family member and you’d like to now how to support someone living with self-harm, please contact us to find out about the support we can offer you.
I’m a professional referrer:
If you’re referring someone for support, please send us the completed referral form and risk assessment.
We also offer training for professionals. We focus on understanding what self-harm is, tackling self-harm myths, understanding who self harms and why, provide guidance on how best to support someone who uses self-harm, and tools and techniques that may be helpful in support. You can contact us for more information.
