A tribute to our friend and colleague, Trevor Harris.
Today, we say a heartfelt goodbye and thank you to a dear friend, colleague, and mentor. Many of us have been blessed to know Trevor Harris. He was a loyal, generous and kindhearted friend. With an infectious laugh and hearty smile that could light up any room, Trevor had the capacity to bring joy to […]
When anti-stigma mental health campaigns go too far… Is it possible to cause harm whilst trying to achieve good?
By Caroline Harroe (Harmless CEO) When anti-stigma mental health campaigns go too far… Is it possible to cause harm whilst trying to achieve good? In brief, the short answer, is yes. While anti-stigma campaigning for mental health has gained momentum in recent years, it is important to acknowledge that there is a potential for over-pathologising […]
Lived Experience and Being a Leader
By Caroline Harroe (Harmless CEO) As a mental health leader, owning your own mental health experience can be a difficult and complex experience. On one hand, sharing your experiences can help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and show others that it’s okay to seek help when needed. On the other hand, it can be […]
Harmless and its Values
By Caroline Harroe (Harmless CEO) Values are central to the work of Harmless because they guide the organisation’s mission and approach to supporting individuals who self harm and are at risk of suicide. Harmless is grounded in the values of compassion, respect, empowerment and collaboration. Compassion is at the heart of Harmless’ work, as the […]
Pathologising the Human Experience
By Caroline Harroe (Harmless CEO) In recent years, the use of mental health diagnoses has become increasingly prevalent in our everyday language. It is not uncommon to hear someone say they are ‘depressed’ or ‘anxious’ when feeling down or worried. Similarly, people may describe themselves as ‘a bit OCD’ if they like things to be […]
Language Matters: Stop Calling People Self Harmers
Language matters when discussing topics related to mental health and self-harm. It is importantto use person-centred language that gives emphasis to the individual as a whole, rather thanreducing them to a single behaviour or label. Using the term ‘self-harmer’ to describe an individual who engages in self harm can bestigmatising and reinforcing of negative stereotypes. […]
The Effects of Viewing Self Harm Images Online
By Caroline Harroe (Harmless CEO) Recent research conducted by the University of Oxford has revealed that viewing images of self harm on the internet and social media can be detrimental to an individual’s mental health. The study, published in the journal Clinical Psychological Science, surveyed 1,700 participants and found that those who had viewed such […]
Autism & Suicide
By Caroline Harroe (Harmless CEO) Autism Acceptance Week was an important time to focus on the struggles that people with autism face and to make sure that their voices are heard. However, it is also especially important to address a difficult topic: self-harm and suicide in individuals with autism. Recent studies suggest that people on […]
Autism Acceptance Week
Autism Acceptance Week is a time for us to come together and celebrate the unique beauty of autistic people. It’s also an opportunity to push the boundaries of how we accept and support those with autism. When it comes to accepting those on the spectrum, there can be a tendency to focus solely on their […]
Stress Awareness Month
April is stress awareness month. Stress is an emotional state that as humans, we all experience in our day-to-day. It is our body’s way of responding to demands or perceived threats. To enable us to navigate stressful situations, our body will activate a “fight-or-flight” survival response – a process whereby our bodies will release hormones […]