Recorded on Self Harm Awareness Day 2021, our courageous conversation reflects on the "prevention at all costs" model. We focus instead on why self-harm arises, how it manifests, and ask how lived experience can inform service delivery.
Em Flint is joined by Marie Ash and Courtney Sommer. Marie's many mental health and suicide prevention hats include Senior Peer Support Worker with Devon Partnership Trust, Chairman of Ask for Jake, and director of Recovery Devon. Courtney is a PhD student of Sociology of Medicine at the University of Exeter. An activist and trainer with Action to Prevent Suicide, she recently co-founded Make Space, a community capable of holding and supporting people who are self-harming.
This conversation includes wide references to self-harm and suicidality, so please take care as you listen.
Resources we mention:
Chill Project - Cold water swimming for wellbeing
National Survivor User Network
Devon Partnership Trust's guide to self harm and services
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)