The Thin Club / The Cutting Club

This script offers information and details of organisations providing help for young people who self harm or starve and for those who care about them.

Self-harming is basically any sort of action which involves injuring your own body. Cutting is one form of self-harm, but some people burn or hit themselves, pull out their hair or pick at their skin. Starving yourself, any eating disorder, heavy drinking and drug-taking are also forms of self-harm. People often feel ashamed and isolated, and try to keep what they're doing a secret. Self harming is not attention seeking, and it's important not to be critical or hostile towards someone you're supporting if they continue to hurt themselves.

If you're harming yourself, try to speak to someone you can trust. Is there someone at school a teacher, school nurse or doctor or maybe your school has a counselling or drop in service? If you would rather speak to or contact someone you don't know, you can phone a helpline or e mail a specialist service for help and advice from people who understand what is happening to you.

The Young People and Self Harm website is a key information resource for young people and their friends and families. On their website you'll find useful sections including - how to get help and advice and suggestions on how others might support young people who harm themselves. There's also a section on local services offering help to young people. Find out more at www.selfharm.org.uk.

If you're having trouble coping the Bristol Crisis Service for Women offers a national helpline with trained advisers, booklets and information on services in your area. You can phone the helpline on 0117 925 1119 (Friday ∓ Saturday nights 9pm-half-past midnight, Sundays 6-9pm). For anyone wanting information call 0117 927 9600 (Monday - Friday 9am-5pm). This is the number to order a free copy of the Rainbow Journal which is specifically for young people under 18 call or e mail to bcsw@btconnect.com. You can also visit their website at www.users.zetnet.co.uk/bcsw.

The website Recover Your Life that was seen in the programme encourages young people to share their experiences of cutting and self harm. Though this may be very useful it is not a recovery website and it is not supported by professional help.

Pro Ana websites are popular among young people starving themselves who like to contact others with similar obsessions, but they do not support recovery. They are not run by or staffed by experienced counsellors. To help yourself you need expert advise.

The Eating Disorders Association provides advice and support for anyone concerned about an eating disorder including anorexia and bulimia nervosa. If you're under 18, call the Eating Disorders Youthline 0845 634 7650 (Monday - Friday evenings 4-6.30pm & Saturdays 1-4.30pm). There's a Youthline email service to talkback@edauk.com. Parents, teachers or any concerned adults should call the Eating Disorders Association Helpline on 0845 634 1414 (Mondays - Fridays 10.30am-8.30pm & Saturdays 1-4.30pm) or you can check out their website at www.edauk.com.

If you're having problems with bullying, the website Bullying Online UK contains lots of helpful information on all sorts of bullying including dealing with bullies who taunt others by using text messages. Go to www.bullying.co.uk. Sometimes bullying can make you feel very unhappy and upset and that life isn't worth living but you will come through it. You can email at anytime to help@bullying.co.uk.

Young Minds offers information and support to young people and their parents on a range of mental health issues. They have some helpful booklets especially for young people on subjects such as self-injury, depression, sexual abuse, bullying and eating disorders. You can find these leaflets and other information on their website at www.youngminds.org.uk. Or write to them for free copies with a stamped self addressed envelope stating the subject you require to: Young Minds, 48 - 50 St John's Street, London EC1M 4DG or e mail to enguiries@youngminds.org.uk

The Young Minds Parents Information Service is a free and confidential phone service on 0800 018 2138 providing information and advice for any adult with concerns about the mental health of a child or young person.

The NSPCC free helpline on 0808 800 5000 (free & confidential, 24 hours a day everyday) receives lots of calls from young people about all sorts of things that are making them unhappy. If you have access to the web, you'll find loads of useful information at www.worriedneed2talk.org.uk.

You can get details of advice and counselling services for young people in your own area from the extensive directory on the Youth Access website at www.youthaccess.org.uk. Or call 0208 772 9900 (Mondays - Fridays 9am-1pm ∓ 2-5pm).

Children and young people up to 18 can speak to someone at Childline about anything which is causing them distress. You can phone them on 0800 11 11 (free & confidential, 24 hours a day everyday). The lines can be really busy, so you may need to ring a few times before you get through. There's lots of useful information on Childline's website at www.childline.org.uk.

You can phone the Samaritans at any time of the day or night to talk in confidence about your feelings. Contact the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 or e mail for support through jo@samaritans.org. You can also visit their website at www.samaritans.org.

You can check out channel4.com/health for information on all sorts of topics of interest to young people.

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