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'‘It is a safe space’: self-harm self-help groups'
- Source :
- Mental Health Review Journal. 23:54-63
- Publication Year :
- 2018
- Publisher :
- Emerald, 2018.
-
Abstract
- Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present a qualitative analysis of the role of self-harm self-help groups from the perspective of group members. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative case study approach guided the research, which involved working with two self-harm self-help groups and all regularly attending members. Findings A thematic approach to the analysis of the findings indicates that self-harm self-help groups can provide a safe, non-judgemental space where those who self-harm can meet, listen and talk to others who share similar experiences for reciprocal peer support. Offering a different approach to that experienced in statutory services, the groups reduced members’ isolation and offered opportunities for learning and findings ways to lessen and better manage their self-harm. Research limitations/implications This was a small-scale qualitative study, hence it is not possible to generalise the findings to all self-harm self-help groups. Practical implications The value of peers supporting one another, as a means of aiding recovery and improving well-being, has gained credence in recent years, but remains limited for those who self-harm. The findings from this research highlight the value of self-help groups in providing opportunities for peer support and the facilitative role practitioners can play in the development of self-harm self-help groups. Originality/value Self-harm self-help groups remain an underexplored area, despite such groups being identified as a valuable source of support by its members. This research provides empirical evidence, at an individual and group level, into the unique role of self-harm self-help groups.
- Subjects :
- 030504 nursing
media_common.quotation_subject
Credence
Applied psychology
Space (commercial competition)
Peer support
Mental health
03 medical and health sciences
Psychiatry and Mental health
0302 clinical medicine
Harm
Originality
030212 general & internal medicine
0305 other medical science
Empirical evidence
Psychology
media_common
Qualitative research
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 13619322
- Volume :
- 23
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Mental Health Review Journal
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi...........4e4763103c205c7ce4a7655804de8295