Young people prefer online services to tackle self-harm

Their call follows a two-year research project involving three youth charities from the UK and three from across Europe, that found young people who self-harm prefer to use online support services that offer immediate access to help and provide anonymity.

As part of the UK research, conducted by YouthNet, DePaul UK, and Manchester-based charity 42nd Street, 342 young service users were surveyed on their views about support. Of these, 71 per cent said it was easier to share their feelings online than face to face.

Meanwhile 88 per cent said they felt “less alone” after talking online with others in their situation.

The survey also found that young people did not seek support for fear of being stigmatised. A third said they had not looked for help in the past because they were afraid they would be misunderstood.

Meanwhile, 50 per cent said they felt too ashamed to seek support and 24 per cent said they were afraid it would be logged on their medical record, possibly affecting their career.

YouthNet chief executive Emma Thomas said the internet must be utilised more effectively to offer advice and access to information and support.

“We know from experience that for many young people it is the first step in seeking help,” she said. “Online support services can play a key role in early intervention, helping to reduce self-harm and prevent the escalation of problems.

“It is vital we recognise that this is the digital generation and therefore if we are to effectively support young people who self-harm we must embrace technology, not shy away from it.”

Alongside three youth charities in Denmark, Italy and Slovenia, the UK charities have produced good practice guidance for practitioners, which recommends that online services are made central to provision for helping young people who self-harm.