From Harm to Calm: promoting help-seeking in young people who self-harm

Above - the cover of From Harm to Calm's Resources for Young People Kevin Greg, project manager of Nillumbik Community Health Service, says: ‘Action Area 3 [community resilience] is particularly important to the work we do. Improving awareness of self-harm is a job not just for youth but schools, parents, media and the broader community.’

Targeting young people aged 10-18 and their families in the Victorian council of Nillumbik, the From Harm to Calm project aims to promote help-seeking in young people who self-harm.

Program duration

Aspects of the current From Harm to Calm project commenced in 2003. The program responded to local schools and health workers, and reported that there was an urgent need to respond appropriately to people demonstrating self-harming behaviour.

In 2007 the project entered Phase 2, becoming part of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy (NSPS).

Location

From Harm to Calm is based at the Nillumbik Community Health Service in Victoria, and services people in Nillumbik, Banyule and Darebin communities. The program provides services to people aged from 12 to 18 (mostly young women).

Activities

From Harm to Calm provides the following:

• one-on-one counselling support
• small group work, often including art therapy
• booklets:
  • for young people at risk of or experiencing self-harm
  • for parents and carers who are concerned about young people at risk.
• research into:
  • incidences of self-harm in primary school-aged children
  • defining self-harm.
• school workshop sessions, including:
  • teacher information sessions, providing do’s and don’ts and early intervention resources
  • parent information sessions.

Model

From Harm to Calm uses a range of strategies in its health promotion and community development model, with the following key attributes:

• action research approach
• practical application
• close feedback mechanism i.e. questions are asked of the people who participate in the program
• individual and group work.

Lessons learnt

• Consult with people who have recovered from self-harm behaviour to determine what activities work.
• Educate the community on to understand ‘self-harm’.
  
• Reduce stigma
  

Evaluation information

From Harm to Calm is a ‘research actioned’ project and therefore it requires extensive consultation from a range of stakeholders, providing ongoing evaluation of its resources. For example, the youth booklet underwent considerable evaluation from people who had experienced self-harming behaviour and recovered.

Umbrella organisation

Nillumbik Community Health Service.

Project partners

Organisations that facilitate the From Harm to Calm project include:

• Primary Care Partnerships (PCPs)
• Banyule Council
• community youth officers.

From Harm to Calm referral pathways include:

• local hospitals
• general practitioners (GPs)
• Berry Street Victoria
• Youth Substance Abuse Service (YSAS)
• Centre Against Sexual Assault (CASA)
• Job Placement Employment and Training Program (JPET).

Resources

Youth and parent/carer booklets and research reports are available from their website.

Testimonials

'I was told I was a survivor and not a victim. I felt accepted. They could relate to me, which was crucial.’ 16-year-old group participant.

‘It was hard and challenging and I broke down… but now I am stronger, wiser, happier and excited about every new day.’ 16-year-old group participant.

Contact

From more information contact the Nillumbik Community Health Service on 03 9430 9100 or visit their website.