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A new digital platform has been introduced to assist professionals in responding effectively and compassionately when children or young people are self-harming or at risk of doing so. This initiative aims to equip those who work with youth with straightforward and helpful guidance to better support emotional well-being.
The Cheshire and Merseyside Self-Harm Professional Resource Hub offers clear advice for individuals who regularly interact with children and young adults. Self-harm continues to be a pressing challenge in the region, with hospital admission rates in 2022/23 reaching 434.5 per 100,000 young people aged 10 to 24—approximately 30% higher than the national figure for England. However, these statistics only capture those cases severe enough to require hospital care, while many children and families manage their struggles without external assistance.
Developed as part of the Beyond Children and Young People Transformation Programme, alongside the Merseyside Youth Association’s RAISE Mental Health Promotion Team, the hub is a collaborative effort including NHS Cheshire and Merseyside and Liverpool City Council. It is designed for a diverse range of professionals—such as school staff, healthcare and social care workers, youth and family service providers, emergency responders, transport personnel, and community organisation members—anyone who might engage regularly with young people. Importantly, the resource does not require users to have formal mental health qualifications. Instead, it provides practical tools to identify signs of self-harm, initiate sensitive conversations, and guide young people to appropriate support services.
The hub contains guidance on effective communication with children, young people, and families, alongside practical support strategies and instructions for handling crisis situations. It also offers information on 24-hour crisis services, basic first aid, and additional resources. The content was developed with input from young people who reviewed the material and shared their perspectives, ensuring that the advice meets the real needs of those it aims to support.
Councillor Harry Doyle, Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, commented: “Finding out that a child or young person is self-harming can be incredibly upsetting for their family and the people who care about them. They will want to help but may not know what to say or where to turn. The rate of hospital admissions across Cheshire and Merseyside shows how important it is that children and young people receive understanding and appropriate support as early as possible. This new hub will help the professionals, and trusted adults, families rely on to listen without judgement, respond with compassion and help a young person find the right support.”
Professor Matthew Ashton, Director of Public Health for Liverpool City Council, added: “Self-harm can be a sign that a child or young person is experiencing significant emotional distress. Behind these figures are individuals who deserve to feel heard, understood and supported. Professionals do not need to be mental health specialists to make a positive difference. Staying calm, listening and responding with kindness can be an important first step. By providing clear and consistent advice, this hub will help children and young people receive a compassionate response wherever they first seek support.”
The Cheshire and Merseyside Self-Harm Professional Resource Hub is accessible free of charge through the NHS Cheshire and Merseyside website, offering a valuable tool for all professionals committed to supporting young people’s mental health
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