Self-harm strategy and action plan: mid-term report

Collaborative Delivery

Collaborative delivery is integral to reducing stigma and improving service responses around self-harm. We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has shared their time, resources and expertise with us in order to help improve care and support for people who self-harm. Through regular meetings COSLA and Scottish Government continue to build a strong collaborative approach to supporting the day-to-day delivery of the strategy. This is informed by the work of the following partners.

Self-Harm Network Scotland (SHNS)

Self-Harm Network Scotland (SHNS), hosted by Penumbra Mental Health, was established during the development of the strategy in 2021 and is fully funded by the Scottish Government. The primary remit of SHNS is to support delivery of the Self-Harm Strategy by improving responses to self-harm across Scotland. This includes providing free compassionate support, resources, and information to people who self-harm through peer support to anyone aged 12 and over, a dedicated website and live chat service that offers out of hours, immediate online information and support, and tailored training for professionals and loved ones supporting people who self-harm.

Self-Harm Action Plan (SHAPE) Group

This is a group of people with lived or living experience of self-harm and service providers who have experience of supporting people directly. The group’s role is to advise and support implementation of the strategy, including providing feedback on the reality of service responses to self-harm in key settings and to help shape how our actions are designed and delivered to have maximum impact. They also continue to offer their insights on how we can achieve equality and accessibility to self-harm support across our work, so that we can ensure no-one is left behind and that stigma and discrimination is tackled at each step of the implementation.

Data and Evidence Group

This group is made up of academics, clinicians, lived/living experience experts, and data analysts who guide implementation of the action plan, as well as leading delivery of specific actions directly. They do this by gathering insights, improving currently held data, and interpreting new data and evidence.

A Message from the SHAPE Group

The SHAPE Group, which was previously known as the Design Group, first came together to discuss this strategy in May 2022, and we feel humbled and honoured to continue to be trusted to share our perspectives and experiences. However, while 18 months may seem like a short time to see tangible change after the strategy's publication, it's important to remember that 39 months have passed since we were promised that people who have experienced self-harm would no longer remain 'hidden'. Time moves quickly, which is why it's crucial that this strategy continues to receive attention and funding. It must remain a top priority within mental health services in Scotland.

There was never any doubt that the implementation phase of the strategy would be challenging. Over halfway through, actioning it remains challenging. But we remain optimistic. Change – real, meaningful change – takes time. It requires intention and perseverance. The intention is there. It is undeniable that significant progress has been made to share learning and expand knowledge around self-harm. This is as a crucial first step. We are confident that with time, commitment and perseverance, progress in other priority areas will follow. We are hopeful – change is happening.

We are seeking long-term shifts in attitudes toward stigma and discrimination, and this requires sustained commitment. Today, we are aware that health and social care services are under even greater pressure, and the challenge of implementing this strategy on top of maintaining basic provision cannot be underestimated. However, progress is being made - new peer support and live chat services from Self-Harm Network Scotland now provide a vital safe space for those who self-harm.

Please don't view this mid-term review as a marker of being halfway done, it is a significant first step in a journey, laying the basic building blocks for a strategy that needs to endure and withstand the test of time.