Parents' and Guardians' Factsheet

Completely revised, reviewed and updated; specifically written for parents and guardians of teenagers and children of any age who self-harm. Useful for children to print off for their parents, and useful for parents to get an insight into their child's behaviour.

Parents' Factsheet V3 [PDF; 480KB]

Friends' Factsheet

Friends can offer so much support to each other, and people often talk to their friends before they talk to parents or doctors. If you have a friend who self-harms, print off this factsheet for yourself, and maybe share it with them.

Friends' Factsheet V3 [PDF; 450KB]

Males' Factsheet

Guys might hurt themselves in different ways, and they might avoid talking about self-injury, but it's not uncommon among men, and you should not assume that self-injury is a 'girl thing. Download our Factsheet for your mates, and read our Male Self-Injury article for statistics - it's def not a girl thing.

Males' Factsheet V3 [PDF; 450KB]

Healthcare Worker Factsheet

Completely revised, reviewed and updated; specifically written for healthcare professionals and practitioners, the 'Healthcare Worker' factsheet is practical introduction to self-injury and the treatment and care of people who self-harm.

Healthcare Worker Factsheet V3 [PDF; 600KB]

Teachers' and Lecturers' Factsheet

Completely revised, reviewed and updated; specifically written for teachers and lecturers and professionals within the educational system.

Teachers' Factsheet V3 [PDF; 450KB]

Creating a School Self-Injury Policy

Self-injury in school aged children and young people is a very real issue that all schools, colleges and universities need to take seriously.

As with bullying policies, all schools should now have a self-injury policy.

Every establishment is different and the policy you create will be unique to your school in order that it may best serve your staff, pupils and parents. This guidance document will help you consider what factors you wish to implement and assist you in making informed choices.

Creating a School Self-Injury Policy V2 (Guidance Document) [PDF; 240KB]

Precursors to Self-Injury

Our two-page handout is useful when considering the emotions driving self-injury, and the intention behind the behaviour.

You can view the Precursors to Self-Injury web page too.

Precursors to Self-Injury V3 [PDF; 180KB]

Self-Injury Awareness Book

Second Edition, Revision 2

Our 50 page booklet had always been popular and well referenced, please download your free copy.

Please note this is the second edition of our booklet, and we will revise it from time to time, but will also re-write it entirely before 2009.

You may print the SIA Booklet on A5 paper, or, you can print 2 pages on to one side of A4.
It's a handy reference file to have at hand on your computer.

The Foreword is by Dr. Neil Burley, MB, ChB, Psychiatrist and teacher.

Self-Injury Awareness Book 2nd Edition [Guidance Document] [PDF; 500KB]

LifeSHINES - the LifeSIGNS Newsletter

• Sign up for our free Newsletter

LifeSHINES (Newsletter 29) February 2008 [PDF; 1MB]

LifeSHINES (Newsletter 28) December 2007 [PDF; 670KB]

LifeSIGNS (Self-Injury Guidance & Network Support) is an online, user-led voluntary organisation, founded in 2002 to raise awareness about self-injury and provide information and support to people of all ages affected by self-injury. We recognise self-injury is a way of coping with distressing experiences and difficult emotions, and we encourage people to reflect on the issues behind their self-injury, and to develop and explore alternative coping mechanisms.
LifeSIGNS is managed and lead by people with personal experience of self-injury, and we are non-judgemental, non-directional, and respectful of our members’ and visitors’ life experiences and perceptions. The LifeSIGNS website is the centre of our vibrant community, and provides access to all of our services, including our newsletter, book and training – www.selfinjury.org.uk