{"id":8108,"date":"2019-02-27T11:34:29","date_gmt":"2019-02-27T11:34:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oakwoodtrainin.wpengine.com\/?p=8108"},"modified":"2023-12-06T13:46:34","modified_gmt":"2023-12-06T13:46:34","slug":"you-did-what-to-yourself","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.oakwoodtraining.co.uk\/you-did-what-to-yourself\/","title":{"rendered":"You Did What To Yourself?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Self-harm is rarely about \u2018attention seeking\u2019. Nor is it something that only teenagers do to be part of whatever group is in vogue at the time.<\/p>\n

If, like me, you\u2019ve never experienced self-harm, it might have understandably slipped under your radar. It is often misunderstood and hardly ever talked about, especially in the workplace. But it\u2019s about time we all learned more about it. <\/p>\n

Have personal experience of self-harm in the UK <\/strong>(YouGov Poll)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Believe it or not, the UK has the highest self-harm rate of any other country in Europe. A recent YouGov poll of more than 2,000 British adults<\/strong> revealed that 21% of 18-34-year-olds have personal experience of self-harm, as do 10% of 35-54-year-olds.<\/p>\n

With the UK workforce showing more and more signs of stress and mental ill health, this is surely set to increase \u2013 unless we do something about it, of course.<\/p>\n

What is self-injury, and why do people do it?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Self-harm<\/a> (also called self-injury and sometime self-mutilation) isn\u2019t classified as an illness per se, but it is often a reflection of a deeper underlying issue. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) defines it as:<\/p>\n

an intentional act of self-poisoning or self-injury, irrespective of the motivation or apparent purpose of the act, and is an expression of emotional distress.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

It isn\u2019t always about \u201ccutting\u201d either. Self-harm can take the form of bruising, burning, scratching and hair-pulling. That might seem pretty extreme to somebody who has never experienced it, and there are many reasons why people may engage in behaviour that causes themselves harm.<\/p>\n

The act is often a way of coping with emotional distress (or communicating the significance of it) or obtaining relief from an otherwise overwhelming situation.<\/p>\n

It may also literally make a person feel better. We know that when injured, the body releases natural pain killers (endorphins) and other chemicals which can alter mood. For some, this can give instant relief, a sense of control over a situation. When everything in your life is out of your control \u2013 like pressure or expectations at home or work \u2013 this is perhaps the one thing you are in control of.<\/p>\n

\u2018\u2026an expression of emotional distress\u2019<\/em> says NICE. A powerful thought. Not so much about attention seeking, but rather \u2018attention needing\u2019 perhaps?<\/p>\n

Contrary to popular belief, self-harm is not attempted suicide. <\/strong>In fact, it\u2019s quite the opposite \u2013 it\u2019s a coping method, for some a way of keeping alive. But this method has obvious risks, and we know the risk of death by suicide is up to ten times greater when compared with those who do not self-harm.<\/p>\n

How do I recognise it in the workplace?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

You might think this doesn\u2019t affect your workplace. But could it have slipped under your nose without you realising it? After all, it is a very secretive, personal act.<\/p>\n

So what to look out for? First, the obvious\u2026<\/p>\n