Scotland unveils pioneering anti-self-harm strategy

As reported by nhe, in a global first, the Scottish Government, in collaboration with COSLA, introduces a £1.5m strategy to combat self-harm stigma, encompassing a national webchat service for support and training

Developed in collaboration with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA), the roll-out is backed by £1.5m of government funding and is believed to be the first of its kind in the world.

Professor Amy Chandler of the University of Edinburgh was the supervising academic on a study conducted as part of the strategy’s development.

She said: “While many nations have suicide prevention strategies that include self-harm, this strategy is unique in addressing self-harm separately. This is important, because while self-harm and suicide can be related, this is not always the case.”

The strategy has three key goals:

• Expand knowledge and compassionate understanding
• Build support and services across Scotland
• Review, improve and share data to drive better care

Part of the investment will go towards a national webchat service which can offer support to anyone over the age of 12, seven evenings a week.

The service is a feature of Self Harm Network Scotland, which is run by Penumbra and provides access to advice and free training sessions for those affected by self-harm.

Maree Todd, the Scottish minister for mental wellbeing, explained: “The way in which people seek support and discuss self-harm is changing with many going online for help, so the webchat service being offered by Penumbra is very welcome.”

She continued: “This work is also helping to build our understanding about self-harm and the most helpful interventions so that we can continue to improve the services on offer.”