• selfharm_

  • Help is available

    Research shows that those who seek professional help and therapy have a good chance of recovery.

    Some tips to stop self-harm:

    • Keep notes of what is going on when
    • you feel the need to harm yourself so that
    • you can identify, over a period of time,
    • specific thoughts which come up
    • Try to talk about your feelings with someone supportive and whom you can trust.
    • Work on building your self-esteem. You are not to be blamed for how you feel; self-injury is an expression of powerful negative feelings.
    • Try to find ways to make your life less stressful by
      - Eating healthily
      - Getting plenty of sleep
      - Exercising to keep fit
    • Have the telephone number of friends, or help lines ready at hand so that you can call and talk to someone instead of hurting yourself.


    Family, friends and teachers can help by looking out for people around them who may be resorting to self-harm and referring them to get professional treatment.

    Warning signs to look out for include irritability, poor sleeping and eating habits and withdrawal from society.

    Please talk to someone,
    • If you are concerned whether someone you know may have self-harm behavior
    • If you are concerned that you may have self-harm behavior

    You can call:
    • Samaritans of Singapore 1800-221-4444
    • TOUCHline 1800-377-2252
    • Singapore Association for Mental Health Helpline 1800-283-7019
    • BABES (Beyond Social Service) - For teenagers with child 1800-TEENMOM (1800-833-6666) or SMS 8111-3535

    You may also wish to contact CHAT for an assessment on self-harm behavior.

    Efforts to raise awareness of self-harm:

    A group of Singapore Management University (SMU) students have set up an initiative to raise awareness on the issue.

    For more information on their cause, visit openheartssmu.blogspot.com

    You can also visit www.twloha.com, a non-profit organisation to help those with self-injury.