These blogs are written by people who have personal experience of self-harming. By writing about the issue they aim to help breakdown the stereotypes and stigmatising ideas that can be associated with self harm.

If you are self-harming you should talk to you GP for help or call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90. You can find more information about what self harm is from Rethink Mental Illness, Mind and the NHS.

Depression: my husband and kids support me

November 9, 2012

A woman holding up a sign reading: "self harmed", "suicide attempt", "depression" | Time to ChangeSince I was about 11 I have felt sad. I thought it was because I didn't have many friends or because my mum was quite ill. Things got worse when I became a teenager and we moved countries. I found it difficult to fit in, to find myself and to deal with my hormones.

Depression: it took a crisis to make me talk

October 3, 2012

I experienced mental illness for years but it took something huge to make me eventually open up. It was no longer my choice to talk, it was unavoidable. I wish I had disclosed my problems sooner and had control over when the truth came out about my mental health. Just as it’s never too late to talk, it’s never too early either.

Depression: It gave me hope to know I had someone to talk to

September 11, 2012

I developed mental health problems during an abusive relationship. When my partner of fourteen years walked out I was relieved but the reality of what I'd been living with surfaced. I basically shut down. I was unable to function. I lasted about three weeks before I had to stop working. I didn't eat or sleep. I didn't leave the house. I spent hours and hours sat in a fog, trying to survive the pain. I suffered from flashbacks and was permanently afraid.

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