Self-harm support project up for national awards

The Young Person’s Self Harm service, pioneered by NHS Aylesbury Vale and NHS Chiltern Clinical Commissioning Groups, is up for two Positive Practice in Mental Health Awards.

It is in the running to scoop the Commissioning in Mental Health and Innovation in Child, Adolescent and Young People’s Mental Health awards.

The project offers training and advice to most secondary schools across Bucks to help teachers deal with both potential and actual cases of self-harm.

A self-harm advice resource pack offers guidance and includes a flowchart of actions for staff to take if confronted with certain scenarios.

Dr Dal Sahota, Chiltern CCG’s director for children, said: “Being shortlisted for national awards like these really helps to affirm the value of the work we have put into this project.

“Our school information pack is genuinely a ground-breaking innovation. One we hope could be adopted elsewhere across the country.

“We hope it will help prevent cases of self-harm and assist in giving young people the support they need during what may be very difficult times.

“At the same time, our refreshed approach to the way youngsters with self-harm injuries are treated in Bucks’ hospitals will focus far more on their psychological sense of well-being than has perhaps been the case in the past.”

Youngsters aged between 16 and 17 can contact the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services on 01865 902515.

The award ceremony takes place in Newcastle on October 14.