Success of self-harm reduction group

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Psychologists working with women who regularly self-harm have seen dramatic improvements after starting a new group to help them manage overwhelming emotions.

Staff from the Rehabilitation and High Support Directorate (RHSD), part of Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, found that many women in high support units, including Stansfield Place in Rochdale, used self-harm as a way of coping with their emotions.

In order to support them, clinical psychologists Dr Rachel Chin and Dr Yvonne Young provided training for 27 Pennine Care staff.

The aim of the training was to equip staff with new ways of working with service users who are distressed, based around Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) – a talking therapy.

Since the launch of the Managing Emotions Group, two thirds of participants reported feeling able to manage their emotions better and there was also a 50 per cent reduction in service users self-injuring.

Dr Chin said: “We know that managing distressing and overwhelming emotions can be a major difficulty for some of the women in our services.

“The Managing Emotions group has shown some very encouraging results and service users tell us that by sharing their emotions they feel less isolated and more able to cope.”

Dr Young added: “Given the success of this trial group we plan to continue this approach in the future.”

One service user said: “I would describe the group to a friend as easy to understand, well focused, relaxed, and friendly.”

Another added: “Staff on the unit have been able to support me in using the skills learnt in the group as they help to remind me of mindfulness exercises.”