Understanding Self-Harm: Phase 2
Phase 2 was marked by a creative collaboration resulting in an animated film about self-harm, Ask Me How I Am.
In August 2021, Fullscope were commissioned by Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Public Health to understand self-harm among children and young people within the local context. This initiative was part of the broader Wave 4 Suicide Prevention Funding effort and unfolded over 3 phases, guided by a dedicated steering group comprising experts from across education, youth services, NHS, local authority, voluntary sector and lived experiences.
Phase 1: August 2021-July 2022
In Phase 1, desktop research and data analysis were conducted to understand the prevalence of self-harm in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. The outcome of this phase was a comprehensive report looking at the local context, Review of self-harm prevalence in children and young people in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
Additionally, co-production workshops took place, engaging local young people and families. These workshops aimed to understand the issues around self-harm from their unique perspectives, aligning with Fullscope's model for co-production.
“The fact that I know I can hopefully help other people and make services better for other young people. I think that’s the highlight of the project for me.”
– Young person
Phase 2: August 2022-July 2023
In 2023, Phase 2 of this work was successfully completed. This phase was marked by a creative collaboration that resulted in an animated film about self-harm. The film was created by a group of young people who themselves have experienced self-harm, in partnership with film company, Boundary Pictures.
The co-production activity has been evaluated independently and we will be sharing our learning from this work soon.
The animated film also forms the basis for a series of training workshops tailored for professionals working with young people. Between May and July 2023, these workshops were piloted, with the participation of GPs, primary care staff, and school staff. This phase aimed to equip these professionals with the knowledge and tools needed to address self-harm effectively among young people.
Phase 3: August 2023-July 2024
As we move forward into the final phase of this programme, the focus is on further developing self-harm workshops tailored for professionals.
Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of our young people, offering them hope, understanding, and the tools they need to thrive.
“The film will educate both health professionals, students and school staff – it will make people reflect on their perception of self harm.”
– Fullscope
If you're a professional working with young people in Cambridgeshire or Peterborough and would be interested in taking part in a workshop, please do get in touch by emailing info@fullscopecollaboration.org.uk
For more detailed insights, view the full report: End of Phase 2 Report: Self-harm in children and young people