Information
How to care for self harm wounds
Get practical advice on caring for self-harm wounds, preventing infection, and seeking support to manage emotional distress.
How to care for self-harm wounds
Tips on how to care for and look after self-harm cuts, burns and wounds.
How to create a safety plan
Tips on how to create a safety plan for yourself or someone else.
How to deal with urges to self harm
Find safe distraction techniques for resisting the urge to self-harm.
How to deal with urges to self-harm in the long term
Tips and support around dealing with and managing self-harm in the long term.
How to deal with urges to self-harm right now
Tips and support around dealing with and managing self-harm in the long term.
How to get support for self-harm
Find out how to access support for self-harm, whether from a trusted friend, mental health professional, or anonymous 24/7 helpline.
How to get support for self-harm
Tips on how to find support for self-harm for yourself or someone else.
How to help someone in a self harm emergency
If someone you know has severely injured themselves, getting emergency medical help is critical. Find clear steps for responding to a crisis situation.
How to open up to someone about self-harm
It can be difficult to find the right words to talk about self-harm. How can I open up to someone about self-harm?
How to tell someone you self harm
A guide on how to open up about your self-harm, from choosing the right person to communicating effectively.
Living with your self harm scars
Whether you choose to embrace or cover up your self-harm scars, learning to accept and care for them can be an important part of mental health recovery.
Self-harm alternatives: distraction techniques
Explore strategies for managing self-harm urges, identifying triggers, and developing healthier coping mechanisms.
What is self-harm and why does it happen?
Learn more about the reasons behind self-harm, the risks involved, and how to go about getting professional support.
What to say to someone who self-harms
Learn how to support someone who self-harms with compassion and understanding. This guide offers practical tips on listening, offering support, and following up.
Real life stories
Charlie talks about their journey of self-harm recovery
Charlie tells their story about self-harm and where they are now.
How healing my inner child helped me stop self-harming
Charlie looks into how their self-harm was rooted in childhood pressures, highlighting the healing power of nurturing the inner child's needs.
My journey with self-harm
Kate takes an honest look at their journey with self-harm, from triggers to recovery, they discuss strategies used for prevention and healing.
Techniques I have developed to replace self-harm
Aly explores ways she combats urges and finds healing, sharing her path from self-harm to self-care. Read more here.
Why do people self harm?âA young person’s story
Grainne, a young person from Dublin, tells spunout her powerful self harm story.
ARCHES Recovery College
A Recovery College is an online and in-person community of people with experience of mental health difficulties; their family members,...
Aware
Aware provides information and support services to people affected by mental illnesses such as depression, bipolar and mood-related conditions.
Grow Mental Health
Grow Mental Health provides support and education around emotional and mental wellbeing; free online support groups; and around the 12...
Helplink Mental Health
Helplink Mental Health's mission is to provide accessible, free or low cost mental health services; locally, nationally and internationally, 7...
HSE National Counselling Service
The National Counselling Service (NCS) provides free counselling to people age 18 or older who experienced childhood abuse or neglect....
HSE Your Mental Health
HSE Mental Health Supports provide a list of mental health supports, phone lines, services, apps and more for those dealing...
Innovation Recovery College
The Innovation Recovery College is an online education resource to support people recovering from mental health difficulties or for those...
Jigsaw
Jigsaw is a nationwide charity that offers free therapy to young people between the age of 12-25, as well as...
Jigsaw Cork
Jigsaw Cork provides a free and confidential service for young people in Cork City and County between the ages of...
Jigsaw Donegal
Jigsaw is a national organisation that aims to promote the mental health of young people. Jigsaw provides a free and...
Jigsaw Dublin 15
Jigsaw Dublin 15 provides a free and confidential service for young people between 12 and 25 years old. Jigsaw aims...
Jigsaw Dublin City
Jigsaw Dublin City provides a free and confidential service for young people between 12 and 25 years old. Jigsaw aims...
Jigsaw Dublin South-West
Jigsaw Dublin South West provides a free and confidential service for young people between 12 and 25 years old. Jigsaw...
Jigsaw Galway
Jigsaw supports young people with their mental health by providing early intervention supports. This free one-to-one service is provided by...
Jigsaw Kerry
Jigsaw supports young people (12-25 years) with their mental health by providing early intervention supports. This free one-to-one service is...
Jigsaw Meath
Jigsaw supports young people with their mental health by providing early intervention supports. This free one-to-one service is provided by...
Jigsaw Offaly
Jigsaw is a national organisation that aims to promote the mental health of young people. Jigsaw provides a free and...
Jigsaw Roscommon
Jigsaw is a national organisation that aims to promote the mental health of young people. Jigsaw provides a free and...
Jigsaw Tipperary
Only primary youth mental health provider in Ireland for people aged 12-25. Aims to achieve better mental health outcomes for...
Jigsaw Wicklow
Jigsaw Wicklow provides a free and confidential service for young people in county Wicklow between 12 and 25 years old....
Jigsaw- Laois/Offaly
Jigsaw Laois/Offaly provides a free and confidential service for young people in Laois & Offaly between 12 and 25 years...
Jigsaw- North Fingal
Jigsaw North Fingal provides a free and confidential service for young people between 12 and 25 years old. Jigsaw aims...
Kerry Adolescent Counselling Service
One to one counselling and psychotherapy service for adolescents aged 12-20. Service users welcome to make a donation, with the...
Kerry Diocesan Youth Service (KDYS)- Counselling Service
Leading youth organisation in the south west. Youth based, youth focused organisation. Create opportunities to expand the lives of young...
Limerick Youth Service
Leading provider of youth work in Limerick, education, training, employability and volunteering opportunities for young people. Supports several diverse youth...
Local suicide prevention and bereavement services
Local services designed to help those in any way impacted by suicide, providing suicide awareness, as well as support for...
Loughrea Community and Family Support Centre
Vision to make people lives better through the provision of supports and services that respond to the needs of the...
Mayo Recovery College
This unique service aims to support, maintain and promote positive mental health in the community and to foster hopeful positive...
Mindspace Mayo
Mindspace Mayo provides free and confidential support in person for young people aged 12-25 in Mayo. To get a referral...
Pieta
Pieta provides emergency 24/7 text and phone line, online or in-person counselling and wider supports for those at risk of...
Pieta Balbriggan
Pieta provide a range of services nationally to people who are experiencing thoughts of suicide, those who engage in self-harm,...
Pieta Ballina
Pieta provide a range of services nationally to people who are experiencing thoughts of suicide, those who engage in self-harm,...
Pieta Ballyfermot
Pieta provide a range of services nationally to people who are experiencing thoughts of suicide, those who engage in self-harm,...
Pieta Belong To
Pieta provides free crisis counselling services within BeLonG To Youth Services in Dublin City Centre and across Ireland for young...
Pieta Blakestown & Mountview Youth Initiative
Pieta provide a range of services nationally to people who are experiencing thoughts of suicide, those who engage in self-harm,...
Pieta Cavan
Pieta provide a range of services nationally to people who are experiencing thoughts of suicide, those who engage in self-harm,...
Pieta Clones
Pieta provide a range of services nationally to people who are experiencing thoughts of suicide, those who engage in self-harm,...
Pieta Cork
Pieta provide a range of services nationally to people who are experiencing thoughts of suicide, those who engage in self-harm,...
Pieta Dublin South
Pieta provide a range of services nationally to people who are experiencing thoughts of suicide, those who engage in self-harm,...
Pieta Galway
Pieta provide a range of services nationally to people who are experiencing thoughts of suicide, those who engage in self-harm,...
Pieta Kerry
Pieta provide a range of services nationally to people who are experiencing thoughts of suicide, those who engage in self-harm,...
Pieta Louth
Pieta provide a range of services nationally to people who are experiencing thoughts of suicide, those who engage in self-harm,...
Pieta Midlands
Pieta provide a range of services nationally to people who are experiencing thoughts of suicide, those who engage in self-harm,...
Pieta Midwest
Pieta provide a range of services nationally to people who are experiencing thoughts of suicide, those who engage in self-harm,...
Pieta Monaghan
Pieta provide a range of services nationally to people who are experiencing thoughts of suicide, those who engage in self-harm,...
Pieta Northwest
Pieta provide a range of services nationally to people who are experiencing thoughts of suicide, those who engage in self-harm,...
Pieta Roscrea
Pieta provide a range of services nationally to people who are experiencing thoughts of suicide, those who engage in self-harm,...
Pieta Sligo
Pieta provide a range of services nationally to people who are experiencing thoughts of suicide, those who engage in self-harm,...
Pieta South East
Pieta provide a range of services nationally to people who are experiencing thoughts of suicide, those who engage in self-harm,...
Pieta Swords
Pieta provide a range of services nationally to people who are experiencing thoughts of suicide, those who engage in self-harm,...
Pieta Virginia
Pieta provide a range of services nationally to people who are experiencing thoughts of suicide, those who engage in self-harm,...
Pieta West Cork
Pieta provide a range of services nationally to people who are experiencing thoughts of suicide, those who engage in self-harm,...
Pieta Wexford
Pieta provide a range of services nationally to people who are experiencing thoughts of suicide, those who engage in self-harm,...
Shine
Shine provides support, resources and advocacy for people experiencing serious mental health diagnoses and mental ill health.
Skerries Youth Support Service
Skerries Youth Support Services (SYSS) is a youth-focused community organisation which offers support to local young people and their families...
St. Patricks Mental Health Services
St. Patricks Mental Health Service telephone and email service is staffed by experienced mental health nurses 9-5 Monday to Friday...
Suicide or Survive
SOS endeavours to challenge the stigma attached to mental illness and provide a range of educational and therapeutic programmes that...
Switchboard
The Switchboard helpline provides confidential and non-judgmental listening, support and information services for Ireland's LGBTQIA community.
TeenLine
Teenline provides a 24-hour active listening service for young people up to the age of 18 in Ireland.
Text About It
Text About It is a free, anonymous, 24/7 messaging service providing everything from a calming chat to immediate support for...
Turn2Me
Turn2Me provides an online 3 tiered approach to supporting mental well-being to people aged 18 years and over. It includes...
Your Mental Health information line
The Your Mental Health information line provide information on the mental health supports and services available to you and how...
Books, podcasts, and apps
BlueIce app
BlueIce is an app to help manage emotions and reduce urges to self-harm. It has a toolbox of evidence based techniques to reduce distress
Calm Harm
Calm Harm is an app that provides tasks and activities to help you resist or manage the urge to self-harm.
Healing the Hurt Within: 3rd edition: Understanding Self-Injury and self-harm, and Heal the Emotional Wounds
Healing the Hurt Within explores self-injury, its causes, and recovery strategies, offering insights, real-life stories, and coping techniques for healing emotional wounds.
HSE Health and Wellbeing podcast
The HSE's Health and Wellbeing podcast explores a wide range of health topics with insights on how to manage our own health, access supports and achieve healthy outcomes in our communities.
Mindfulness Coach
The Mindfulness Coach is an app that provides gradual, self-guided training programmes designed to help you develop a mindfulness practice.
MindShift CBT app
Mindshift is an app which uses CBT tools to help people manage anxiety or worry. Includes journaling, belief experiments, meditations.
Overcoming Low Self-Esteem, 2nd Edition: A self-help guide using cognitive behavioural techniques
Melanie Fennell's handbook uses cognitive behavioral techniques to help readers challenge negative thoughts, build confidence, and develop healthier self-worth.
Where is my mind?
Where is my mind? is a podcast hosted by Niall Breslin exploring how we can better look after our heads and our hearts.
You are not alone: navigating mental illness and the journey to recovery
You Are Not Alone offers guidance for those navigating mental illness, providing hope, coping strategies, and insights to help individuals understand their journey and move toward healing and recovery.
Activities
54321 Grounding Technique
Grounding is a quick, easy way to refocus on the present moment by using your senses or simple mental exercises. Learn how to use grounding exercises to reduce stress in the moment.
Deep Breathing Exercise
Deep breathing helps reduce stress, lower blood pressure, improve focus, and promote relaxation by increasing oxygen flow and calming the nervous system.
Guided Mindful Meditation
Mindfulness meditation can help boost your mood, combat stress and improve your wellbeing. Take 5 minutes for yourself today and practice self-care with this guided meditation.
How to create a safety plan
Safety plans are personalised lists of coping strategies and sources of support that are specific to each person.
Progressive Muscle Relaxation Technique
Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) is a technique that involves tensing and relaxing muscle groups to reduce stress, improve relaxation, and ease tension.
