Self-harm in Ireland

In October 2020, Samaritans Ireland released a report titled Self-Harm and Support Seeking in the RoI and NI, which provided insight into the experiences of individuals who have self-harmed.

That report highlighted the issue of stigma and the negative impact it had on participants’ willingness to seek help. Participants expressed feeling judged and criticised, which discouraged them from seeking further assistance. They also noted that their initial experiences seeking help were often negative, further reinforcing feelings of shame and reluctance to seek support.

Participants indicated that stigma existed within the medical community, creating additional barriers for those seeking mental health support. Samaritans’ volunteers also reported that callers who disclosed self-harm were often reluctant to talk to family or friends out of fear of judgement or negative reactions.

Through this initial research, we realised the importance of developing a greater understanding of the impact stigma, both internal and external, has on someone who currently, or has engaged in self-harm.

To get a full picture of self-harm and stigma, we set out an ambitious plan for an extensive literature review focusing only on studies from within the island of Ireland, a large public survey, and follow-on focus groups.

In March 2023, we launched our report, An Open Secret: Self-Harm and Stigma in Ireland and Northern Ireland and invited a mental health ambassador and researchers to present and take part in a panel discussion/Q&A. This report used a multi-focal approach with insights from those with lived experience of self-harm, family, friends and carers of those who self-harm, professionals who work with those who self-harm, and the general public.

The first of its kind in Ireland the report highlights that stigma has the power to silence, shame, and push those who struggle with self-harm into secrecy. It found that people started to self-harm as young as four-years-old, with others self-harming for over 50 years, showing that supports and coping mechanisms need to be aimed towards all age groups. It laid bare the disconnect between participants’ willingness to help someone who self-harms and their actual behaviour, and showed how people who self-harm believe others have a lower opinion of them.

A total of 769 adults from across the island of Ireland took part in the research, with input from people with lived experience, their loved ones or caregivers, healthcare professionals, and members of the public with no connection to the issue. It revealed people would remove themselves from everyday scenarios to avoid someone who self-harmed - for example car sharing, new relationships, employment - and how people who self-harm believed others had a lower opinion of them, including healthcare professionals

A summary document has also been produced outlining Ireland's key findings and recommendations.

Despite progress in the mental health field, stigma continues to affect those struggling with self-harm, often exacerbating their pain and isolation. Samaritans Ireland will continue to to undertake research, facilitate discussions, and work with those across government and within the third sector to address the complex issues surrounding self-harm and mental health stigma.