A lot of people who are self-harming struggle with reaching out for help for so many reasons, be it to a friend, family member or a health professional.
Nathalie didn't want to tell anyone about her distress and self-harm, but she took the step to make an appointment with her university wellbeing centre.
"I don't think my university had anybody to deal specifically with mental health"
Nathalie was faced with rejection due to a lack of space for any more patients at her wellbeing centre. Waiting lists, lack of resources and reduced facilities are all common reasons why professional help might not be an option for somebody, and are also reasons why it's becoming even more vital that family and friends can offer support in an effective way. You can listen to an expert's advice on dealing with somebody who self-harms in the full documentary here.
There are many services that are able to help somebody in need without the issue of waiting lists, such as websites and apps, suggested here. It's good to keep in mind that every individual will deal with self-harm differently, and that what works for one person may not work for another. There are also a lot of factors which influence the way people do or don't reach out, such as embarrassment, fear of judgement and lack of time or motivation.
Here, Nathalie explains her experience with seeking professional help and why it didn't work out how she'd hoped.
The following video will discuss the sensitive issue of self-harming. If you feel you are unable to listen to such content, please refer to our website to find who can help, or if you are in urgent need of support, call the Samaritans on 116 123.