Dads Need Care Too: Reflections Following Father’s Day
By Tom Coyle (Clinical Support Worker) For many of us, our dads have had big influence on our upbringing and played a huge part in who we are today. In society, we often view a ‘good dad’ as one who provides unconditional love, support, guidance and nurturing for their children and last weekend’s Father’s Day […]
Creating a New Training Course on Gypsy, Roma & Traveller Self Harm and Suicide Prevention
By Leanne Moulton (Academy Lead) Harmless is proud to announce the development of a new training course focused on self harm and suicide prevention within the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities. A group that often faces significant health inequalities and is underrepresented in Self Harm and Suicide Prevention strategies. This initiative was part of a […]
Carers Week 2025: Standing with Those Who Support Others
By Katie Freeman (Clinical Lead) This week is Carers Week, and the theme is ‘Caring About Equality’, focusing on the inequalities faced by unpaid carers. Unpaid carers experience significant challenges that deeply affect their wellbeing. In 2023, Carers UK published findings on carers’ mental health, highlighting a widespread lack of support from statutory services. Many […]
Loneliness: A Growing Concern in Suicide Prevention
By Caroline Harroe (Harmless CEO) As a therapist working in suicide prevention, I’ve witnessed a worrying trend: the rise of loneliness. At Harmless, our ultimate goal is to become unnecessary, but the reality is that our services are needed now more than ever. Referrals have skyrocketed by 215% since 2020, and with suicide rates in […]
Learnings and Reflections From Our Contracted Training
Our Training & Education Officer Helen Birch offers a look at the impact of Harmless’ bereavement training contract with Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care System (HWEICS). What prompted the Hertfordshire and West Essex Suicide bereavement contract?Hertfordshire Suicide Prevention Strategy 2020–2025 aimed to create a county where no one feels suicide is their only option. […]
The Hidden Cost of Periods: Unpacking Period Poverty in the UK on Menstrual Hygiene Day
By Erin Kershaw (Clinical Support Worker) Periods are a natural and unavoidable part of life for roughly half the population. Yet, for millions in the UK, the monthly reality is tainted by an often-invisible struggle: period poverty. This isn’t just about lacking access to sanitary products; it’s a multi-faceted issue with far-reaching consequences for health, […]
The Courage to Show Up and Speak Up: Finding Harmony and Voice
By Caroline Harroe (Harmless CEO) Following on from my last reflection about the unexpected joy of finding myself in a choir, I wanted to share a more vulnerable truth. There are weeks, even days, when the thought of leaving the house feels like scaling a mountain. When my mental health dips, my home, filled with […]
Navigating Grief on Crib Goch
By Leanne Moulton (The Academy at Harmless Lead) Each year, my family and I climb Snowdon in memory of someone we lost far too soon, a loved one whose absence we feel every day. It’s our way of honouring him and keeping his spirit alive in the landscape he always wanted to be in, but […]
Join Us at Our 2025 Celebration Event
Tickets are now available for Harmless’ much-loved Celebration Event, our annual evening of joy taking place this October — and we would love for you to join us! This special night brings together our amazing community of staff, supporters, stakeholders and friends to reflect on the past year, celebrate our achievements and raise vital funds for […]
Finding Your Anchor: Parenthood, Distress, and the Courage to Reach Out
By Caroline Harroe (Harmless CEO) Being a parent is a journey filled with immense love, joy and profound responsibility. It can also be incredibly demanding and, at times, overwhelming. When the weight of those demands, coupled with personal struggles, leads to feelings of distress, despair or even thoughts of self harm, it can feel like […]