Alex's Answer

Hi, welcome to Ask Alex. Thank you for getting in touch.  

You are questioning if self-harming is good, it sounds like you have questions around self-harming. We would be concerned to know that anyone was self-harming, and we would encourage anyone who had thoughts of self-harm to speak to a trusted adult. This trusted adult may be a teacher, a family member, a coach, a youth worker or your GP. 

Thoughts regarding self-harm can arise for lots of different reasons but the important thing is to get support around these thoughts and also, to remember that those feelings won’t last forever. All of us have a right to get help around feelings of self-harm, have a look at the following website for services (free and no referral needed) offered: https://www.pieta.ie/ and you are welcome to visit the Childline website for more information about self-harming behaviours: https://www.childline.ie/how-to-help-someone-you-believe-might-be-self-harming/ and https://www.childline.ie/self-harm/. 

If you are concerned about self-harm and you feel you don’t have a trusted adult you could confide in, you could always speak to someone at Childline. You could call on  1800 66 66 66, contact us by text on 50101 or through our webchat at https://www.childline.ie/. The Childline team is there to listen 24 hours a day, every day. Our services are free, confidential and non-judgemental.  

Be kind to yourself and take care,  

Alex