Self-harm and suicide prevention
At Norman Galloway Homes we train all our staff so that they are better in conversation with young people who self harm. This is a really hard subject for people to deal with. Knowing what to do, what to say and how to react can cause so much anxiety for the young people involved and for the staff who are trying to support them.
What young people should expect
Staff can sometimes lack confidence when supporting or caring for someone who self-harms or is suicidal, especially when they have not been trained in self-
harm and suicide prevention, or in mental health. For example, staff worry that asking directly about suicide might make a person more likely to later die by suicide
which we know not to be the case. Our staff have this training as part of their induction.
We aim for all staff to become confident and capable enough to provide support in any situation to ensure that support is always delivered compassionately and respectfully, the most important part of this framework is about having the right attitude and values. This includes making sure that staff speak to you in a way that is understanding and respectful. The person you speak to should take your concerns seriously, and help you to feel in control of your own care by involving you (and your family, friends or carers) in any conversations about the support we provide. They should also make sure that you understand everything that is happening while you are being supported, and they should put your support and needs first, rather than following checklists or processes.