Web chat service helps more than 1,000 people with self-harm issues

A web chat service designed to help people dealing with self-harm has hosted more than 1,300 conversations since its launch a year ago.

The Scottish Government funds Self-Harm Network Scotland as part of its self-harm strategy and action plan.

According to the most recent Scottish Health Survey, 25% of 16-24-year-olds and 10% of adults said they had self-harmed. Data also suggests self-harm rates are rising.

Available online to anyone over the age of 12, seven days a week between the hours of 6pm and 10pm, the service allows users to chat anonymously.

Dozens of volunteers and trained peer practitioners are available to provide advice and support.

Some volunteers have lived experience of self-harm including Julia Sorvoja, who usually works a shift a week at the service.

She told STV News: “I’ve been kind of in the past affected by self-harming. So that’s where my motivation came from.

“I do think it makes a difference (having lived experience). But some of the volunteers they can be really good too even if they don’t have that kind of personal experience.

“I’ve definitely had a lot of conversations where I felt like the persons going to be leaving the conversation with some kind of a plan of what they can do to kind of management those difficult emotions a little bit better.

“It does make me feel really satisfied.”

In the past year, 90% of people who gave feedback after using the webchat said they found it helpful (71% “Very Helpful”, 19% “Somewhat Helpful”).

There’s now a drive to recruit more volunteers to help manage the live chat.

Darren Boyd, SHNS network manager, said: “Since the inception of Self-Harm Network Scotland, it has been important to us that people with lived experience guide our delivery of support.

“Feedback from people with lived experience revealed to us a need for accessible, national support for people who self-harm. We also know there is still a lot of stigma around self-harm and this can be a barrier to people accessing support.”

“The live chat is a place anyone can come to and remain anonymous should they wish. They can get support from our team at times they are feeling distressed and may not have anyone else to reach out to.

“The first year of running this new element of support has taught us a lot, and we look forward to continuing to work with people with lived experience to grow and continue this service.”

Mental wellbeing minister Maree Todd said: “I am pleased to celebrate the first year of the webchat that we launched together with Penumbra this time last year.

“To have already supported 1,273 people through the webchat is a huge accomplishment and supports our vision for anyone affected by self-harm to receive compassionate, recovery-focused support, without fear of stigma or discrimination, as outlined in our Self-Harm Strategy and Action Plan.”

She added: “We greatly value the expertise Peer Practitioners and trained volunteers are bringing to this service, which is showing positive results in supporting people affected by self-harm right across Scotland. This is why we are continuing to invest £1.5m to support Self-Harm Network Scotland.”

You can find more information about the service at https://selfharmnetworkscotland.org.uk/

Help and support is available now if you need it. Details of services available can be found at stv.tv/advice

When life is difficult, Samaritans are here – day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org, or visitwww.samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.