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Session One: First Aid Kit

The aim of this first aid kit is to increase safety and reduce risk of harm if you do engage in self-harm. The purpose is not to condone or encourage you to hurt yourself, but to help you to stay safe if stopping self-harm is not immediately possible.

  • Plasters
  • Antiseptic wipes
  • Surgical tape
  • Bandages

These items can be picked up for a low cost at most major retailers.

Do you have access to any of the above? If not fill out the first aid kit plan below to problem solve this.

Exercise two: My first aid kit plan

1. What do I have?

2. What do I need in my first aid kit to keep myself safe?

3. How and when can I get these items?

4. Do I need to ask for support from a family member or carer to get these items?

5. Who do I need to ask and when will I do this?

 

Exercise three: Emotional first aid kit

As well as physically caring for your injuries you can also add different coping strategies to help you access techniques and support to manage the urge to self harm. Examples might be; speaking to a friend, listening to relaxing music, drawing a butterfly on your wrist, using red marker to draw on an injury, pressing ice against your skin. 

Please list anything that helps you cope when you feel an urge to self-harm in/around the emotional first aid kit box.

As you make your way through the workbook you will learn more strategies and skills to add to your First Aid Kit and Safety Plan.

Treating different self-harm injuries

Sometimes self-harming can lead to your body going into shock. Your body may be in shock if you experiences weakness, dizziness, feeling cold and faster/shallower breathing.

Any sign of shock requires medical attention as soon as possible.

Overdose/Self-poisoning

  • There is no safe way to self-poison, whether this be with medication, chemicals or fluids.
  • What is an overdose? Taking anything over the recommended daily dose OR taking the full daily recommended dose within four hours (rather than spread throughout a 24 hour period).
  • ALL overdoses taken within 48 hours require immediate medical attention at A&E.
  • Any overdose taken within a 7 day period, where you are experiencing physical problems such as stomach ache, requires medical attention at A&E.
  • If an overdose has been taken over a week ago you should see your GP urgently, however, if you have any physical complaints then attend A&E.

Cutting

  • Use a new/clean blade or tool each time.
  • Have access to a first aid kit - this is important to control any bleeding and prevent infection.
  • Keep wounds clean. 
  • Lots of blood loss can lead to shock.
  • If you have cut a limb, raising the limb in the air will help to reduce blood flow.
  • Seek medical attention:
    • If the cut is bleeding heavily and/or the cut is deep.
    • If you lose any feeling in area.
    • If you have any signs of infection (redness, soreness, swollen, hot to touch, weeping).

Burning

  • Run cold water over the burn for at least 10 minutes.
  • Remove anything surrounding the burn, e.g. clothes, rings, watches or bracelets.
  • If anything gets stuck in the burn, do not remove it.
  • Chemical burns: Liquid - wash the burn under lukewarm water for at least 30 minutes. Powder - remove any of the powder before washing. For all chemical burns you should seek medical advice.
Attending A&E

My nearest A & E Department is:

 

Address:

 
What happens when I attend A&E?
  1. The medical team will check you are physically well.
  2. All young people who attend A & E following self-harm will be referred to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) for a routine assessment.
  3. A CAMHS practitioner will visit you in hospital to talk about how you are feeling and what led you to harming yourself.
  4. Your parent(s), carer(s) or responsible adult will be asked to attend this assessment. If this is not possible you can ask another family member or friend.
  5. The practitioner will spend some of the assessment talking to you on your own. Most of this can be kept confidential however it will be explained when confidentiality may need to be broken.
  6. For most young people you will be able to go home after this assessment. Very occasionally this isn't possible but the reasons for this will be explained to you.
  7. You will then be offered a follow up appointment with the CAMHS team approximately two weeks after you are discharged from hospital. If everything has settled then further work may not be arranged.

Exercise four: Body Map 
Indicate on the body map below the areas of your body you self-harm.

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Exercise five: Safety plan

Triggers:

What has helped?

What could others do to help?

Ways to calm:

Who can I contact?

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