Rosemary Vaux -
tel: 020 8943 5343 mobile: 07792 72 62 41
email: rvaux@ravenstonepr.co.uk
Mental health experts launch campaign against websites that promote self-harm
9 February 2010
Mental health experts today launched a campaign to mark Safer Internet Day (9 February) against websites that can push vulnerable young people to self harm and attempt suicide.
The call came after it was revealed today that there are now known to be 37 recorded cases of young people, the youngest just 13 years old, where the internet has played a significant role in their decision to take their own lives. It is believed that a number of others have been left permanently disabled following similar attempts.
Specialists at Affinity Healthcare, which operates one of the largest Young People’s inpatient services in the UK and treats NHS patients, is encouraging young people and parents to be more aware of the threat.
Affinity has joined forces with PAPYRUS, a national charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide, to offer advice on how young people can stay safe online whilst highlighting the dangers of websites and message boards that encourage vulnerable young people to harm themselves and, even, in some cases, take their own lives.
Some message boards include links to sites selling items to inflict self-injury.
Self-harm message boards have mushroomed in the last five years, most often about depression and eating disorders. These boards are mostly used by teenage girls up to 20 yrs, however some as young as 12 are thought to access them.
Affinity Healthcare’s lead consultant adolescent psychiatrist, Dr David Kingsley, said: “The number of websites that are coming into existence promoting self-harm is really worrying. A significant proportion encourage young people not to seek help as well as promoting dangerous new methods of hurting oneself, some having forums dedicated to sharing techniques. Some sites even advertise implements to use for self-harm.
“Young people who harm themselves are emotionally vulnerable. They often keep their self-harm secret, so the Internet can seem like an attractive way of seeking support anonymously from others with similar problems. Some sites can be supportive and helpful but others are proactively seeking to encourage young people to self harm and stop them from getting the help they need.
“If you are self-harming, the first thing to realise is that you’re not alone, other people do this too. It is a sign that you are struggling with difficult feelings about yourself that you need help with. Talk about your difficulties with a trusted friend or relation, and if this is not enough, go and see your GP or find a local counselling service for young people – there are lots of them around.“
Paul Kelly, a trustee of PAPYRUS who leads the charity’s internet safety campaign said: “PAPYRUS members are well aware of the potentially devastating effects on young people of exposure to unregulated websites and social networking sites that groom for suicide. 37 recorded cases, the youngest just 13 years of age, in which the internet has played a significant role may be the tip of the iceberg.
“PAPYRUS seeks greater regulation of online life-threatening content and is supporting the UK Council for Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS) campaign ‘Click clever click safe’, which can be found at www.direct.gov.uk/clickcleverclicksafe. Our Action for Safety on the Internet leaflet offers basic advice and sources of help for any parent, grandparent or carer who wishes their child to take a safe and responsible approach to the cyber world. It is downloadable free at www.papyrus-uk.org.”
CASE STUDY
Clare Smith (whose name has been changed to protect her identity), a recovered self-harmer, said: “I first became aware of message boards and chat rooms when I was 11. I always felt like I was alone and no-one really understood me so I turned to these sites for support but I soon got obsessed and too involved.
“On one online chat room, I started chatting to a guy called Dennis who said he was 18. I grew to trust him and became obsessed with talking to him, but he turned out to be a 59 year old man who turned nasty and started to mentally abuse me online. I became so depressed that I started to self-harm which later on drove me to start looking for self-harm websites where people would post their self-harm injuries. It was effectively a competition to see who could injure themselves most badly. I was then admitted to Cheadle Royal Hospital after I had tried to take my own life numerous times after downloading suicide tips from the internet.
“I’m now 18 and studying for a nursing degree at University. Now that I’m fully recovered and living a really positive life, I would strongly urge anyone who is thinking of using self-harm websites to stay away from them. Instead, confide in someone close to you or speak to your GP who will be able to refer you for some proper help. It’s important to remember that you’re not alone.”
Ends
To arrange an interview with Dr David Kingsley or any of our case studies please call Sophie Beckingham on 0207 612 8828 or email
Sophie.beckingham@kindredagency.com
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