Online self harm support centre announced

With £600,000 from the Foundation; YouthNet, The Depaul Trust; 42nd Street; and LifeSIGNS will pool their skills and expertise to create the most comprehensive online centre of its kind, responding to conclusions made by The National Self-Harm Inquiry in 2006.

The Inquiry highlighted the need for better, easy to access information on self-harm and the support services that are available. Not just for the 1 in 15 young people in the UK that are affected by the issue, but for GP's, health practitioners, youth workers, parents and schools that work with young people or who care for them.

Speaking on behalf of the consortium, Fiona Dawe said: "At the moment, the help for people affected by self-harm is sporadic and patchy... depending on who young people turn to.  Which means asking for help can make things worse. Young people who self-harm are frequently misunderstood and don't always get the care they need.

"This is where a Virtual Centre for Self-Harm Support will come into its own. With the Camelot Foundation's support we will create a comprehensive online community of interest for everyone affected by self-harm issues, particularly young people. This will ensure that those affected will feel less isolated, can find the help they need in one place and seek help on their own terms; and have somewhere they can come back to over and over again".

Operating in a safe and inclusive environment, this 'one stop' online resource will capitalise on the popularity of the internet and emerging technologies to engage a wide range of audiences in this relatively hidden issue. It is envisaged that the resource will play a key role in challenging the myths that seem to persist around self-harm, bringing the views and needs of those affected out into the open.

Camelot Foundation Chief Executive, Sam Hyde said: "This new initiative brings together the skills and experience of leading organisations in order to support young people in a way that is non judgemental and supportive of individual needs. It marks a significant step in supporting vulnerable young people countrywide.

The first of three phases to create the resource will start in the first half of 2008. Subsequent phases will begin when additional funding has been secured.
         
Ends

September 21, 2007

For further media information please contact sarah Wilson at YouthNet on 020 7250 5716 or out-of-hours on 07766 660 755.  Email media@youthnet.org

Notes to editors:

1. 1. YouthNet is an online charity – founded by broadcaster Martyn Lewis in 1995 – which exists to create a socially inclusive environment where all young adults are engaged, informed and inspired to achieve their ambitions and dreams. We actively listen to young people, empower them to speak out and work with them to take action on the issues that they say affect them. We aim to inspire young people, earn their trust and respect and support them with empathy as they seek out their place in the world. www.youthnet.org
   
2.  YouthNet achieves its vision through two websites: www.TheSite.org.uk - the one-stop shop of information and advice for 16-24 year olds (with over 500,000 visitors a month) and www.do-it.org.uk - volunteering made easy
   
3. Self-harm is prevalent among users of TheSite.org with 41% stating that they have been affected by the issue. In response, a blend of factual information, expert advice and peer-to-peer support around this subject has been developed, catering to a wide range of user preferences.
   
4. The Depaul Trust works with young people who are homeless or who are at risk of becoming homeless, with 18 years experience of working with very vulnerable young people. Their core business is the provision of supported accommodation for young people who are either homeless or who are at risk of becoming homeless. Therefore, a particular strength that they bring to the Consortium is that they have the same experience as that of many parents who will use the proposed web resource – they know what it is like to live with someone who self-harms.
   
5. The Camelot Foundation: The Camelot Foundation is an independent grant giving foundation, an initiative of The Camelot Group. In 10 years of operation is has provided £20million of funding to support hundreds of organisations. As a core funder for the Virtual Centre for Self-Harm Support the Foundation has committed £600,000 to this essential resource.
   
6. 42nd Street - founded in 1980 - has a long and established history of providing services to young people under stress and experiencing mental health problems. The organisation also has a strong track record of engaging hard to reach and minoritised young people in their work, reflecting their commitment to and expertise in young people's participation. Their recent introduction of online support is an example of how they have used new emerging technologies to provide information and direct support to young people on their terms.
   
7. Self harm is a key concern of the organisation and for over 10 years 42nd Street has been working with this issue; providing both direct interventions to individuals and groups, and training to other professionals, whilst also undertaking research, producing publications and resources, as well as campaigning for increased awareness. In so doing they have developed effective partnerships with a range of statutory, community and academic organisations.
   
8. LifeSIGNS (Self-Injury Guidance & Network Support) is an online, user-lead charity, founded in 2002 to raise awareness about self-injury and provide information and support to people of all ages affected by self-injury. We recognise self-injury is a way of coping with distressing experiences and difficult emotions, and we encourage people to reflect on the issues behind their self-injury, and to develop and explore alternative coping mechanisms.
   
9. LifeSIGNS is managed and lead by people with personal experience of self-injury, and we are non-judgemental, non-directional, and respectful of our members' and visitors' life experiences and perceptions. The LifeSIGNS website is the centre of our vibrant community, and provides access to all of our services, including our newsletter, book and training – www.lifesigns.org.uk .