Finding Joy in the Work: A Reflection on Happiness and Healing
By Danny Charters (Therapist) As a therapist at Harmless, I inevitably spend a great deal of time thinking about suffering. People generally refer into our service due to forces in their lives (either internal, external or both) that are causing them distress. In therapy sessions, I work together with my clients to find ways of […]
Participants Required for Research Study
Harmless is supporting a research study exploring how parents experience the loss of a child to suicide and whether there are differences between mothers and fathers. Hello, my name is Olivia Back. I am recruiting participants for my thesis project which is investigating parental experiences of losing a child to suicide. **CONTENT WARNING**This study references […]
Every Seat Matters: The Ripple Effect of Cancellations in Suicide Prevention Training
By Helen Birch (Training & Education Officer) At Harmless, the centre of excellence for self harm and suicide prevention, we believe in the power of connection. Our training sessions are carefully designed to be interactive, engaging and impactful. To maintain this high standard, spaces are intentionally limited. However, there is an ‘uncomfortable truth’ we must […]
Different, Not Less: World Autism Acceptance Week
By Eleanor Haggar (Clinical Support Worker) This week marks World Autism Acceptance Week – an opportunity to improve public understanding, celebrate neurodiversity, and promote practical inclusion through school resources, fundraising and local events. By building understanding we can create communities where autistic people feel welcomed and supported. Understanding Autism Acceptance vs. AwarenessWhile awareness simply means […]
Trans Day of Visibility: The Single Greatest Thing I Have Done to Improve My Mental Health is To Be Me
Trans Day of Visibility is marked annually on 31st March. It is a day to celebrate the lives, achievements and resilience of transgender and non-binary people, whilst highlighting the discrimination and inequality they face. This year, we are delighted that Nottingham Pastel Project have contributed a guest blog post. Written by Jess, their Co-Director, she […]
You Might Be Wrong About Bipolar
By Anna Scott (Clinical Support Worker) It takes an average of 9.5 years to get a correct diagnosis of bipolar disorder in the UK. The overwhelming misunderstanding of what the condition involves can be a major hindrance for diagnosis. Despite being present in roughly 1 in 100 of us, many of us have a warped […]
Eid-al-Fitr: Exploring Grief in Celebration
By Ammarah Peerbhai (Clinical Support Worker) and Jess Paine (Fundraising & Events Officer) ‘In Islam, hardship and loss are acknowledged as inevitable parts of the human condition. While your faith can offer immense strength, meaning and comfort, it does not magically erase the pain of grief’ (Bucks Family Network) Many of our friends, colleagues, and […]
From Harm to Hope: A Celebration of Connection and Lifesaving Work
By Helen Birch (Conference Chair / Training & Education Officer) & Božana Lončarević (Training & Education Officer) The 11th From Harm to Hope Conference is now behind us, and what an incredible success it was! If someone had wandered into the venue by accident, they might have been met with a surprising sight: a pink […]
The Quiet Space Between: A Motherhood Without the Calendar
By Caroline Harroe (CEO) Motherhood, for me, isn’t a tidy row of flowers or a perfectly set table. It is a sprawling, vibrant, and sometimes breath-stealing tapestry. It’s woven with the chaotic laughter of my five children – each with their own beautiful, quirky rhythm – and held together by a strength I didn’t know […]
Stepping into Outreach: A Reflection on Listening
Outreach work in the communities we serve is at the heart of what Harmless and The Tomorrow Project stand for. Our colleague Maanika Aggarwal shares some reflections on a recent event she attended in Mansfield. I find myself asking the same question again and again: what truly is my role in the world, as a […]