Self-harm is a serious issue with many different causes, and coping takes more than just trying to manage difficult feelings. Therapy and professional help can be very useful, but they are not always easy to access. Newer research highlights self-help strategies that clients can use on their own or alongside therapy, and these resources are now more widely available.
The Self-Harm Coping Skills (Healthy Alternatives To Self-Harm) handout offers helpful options for overcoming the urge to harm oneself. It includes strategies like holding ice cubes, screaming into a pillow, and taking a gentle shower or bath. Clients can choose from many different options depending on what feels right for them at the moment.
Having this handout within reach can give kids and teens a sense of control. We recommend picking out a few favorite strategies ahead of time, so it’s easier for them to know what to do when the urge to self-harm appears.
Caring adults can help by placing the handout somewhere easy to see. Simple actions — like checking in regularly or practicing calming activities together — can help kids and teens feel less alone.
This handout pairs well with our self-harm psychoeducation What Is Self-Harm? handout.
*This item is an instant digital download. A link to download your files will be emailed to you once payment is confirmed.
Want more resources like this? Check out our full catalog of coping skills worksheets and handouts.
References:
- Brennan, C. A., Crosby, H., Sass, C., Farley, K. L., Bryant, L. D., Rodriquez-Lopez, R., Romeu, D., Mitchell, E., House, A. O., & Guthrie, E. (2022). What helps people to reduce or stop self-harm? A systematic review and meta-synthesis of first-hand accounts. Journal of Public Health, 45(1), 154-161. https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdac022
- Cliffe, C., Pitman, A., Sedgwick, R., Pritchard, M., Dutta, R., & Rowe, S. (2021). Harm minimisation for the management of self-harm: A mixed-methods analysis of electronic health records in secondary mental healthcare. BJPsych Open, 7(4). https://doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2021.946
- Fenton, C., & Kingsley, E. (2022). Scoping review: Alternatives to self‐harm recommended on mental health self‐help websites. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 32(1), 76-94. https://doi.org/10.1111/inm.13067
