An Abertay University sociologist has helped to make this film aimed at tackling the cultural taboos surrounding self-harm.
Jan Law teamed up with independent film-maker Sam Goncalves and Dundee-based support group Rebound to give a voice to people who self-harm and help health professionals better understand why they do so.
The six-minute film is called Harm.
Jan said: “The focus for the project was on mental health, and working with Rebound we found that many of the people who use support services feel that, outwith Rebound, there is a lack of understanding among health and educational professionals about their condition.
“However, we were also aware that many health and educational professionals are screaming out for useful and innovative ways to try and teach and raise awareness of sensitive issues such as self-harm.
“So we created this film both to give people who self-harm a voice to explain why they do it, and to help others better understand the condition so that they are in a better position to support them and help them through the issues affecting them.”
Self-harming behaviour includes cutting, burning, poisoning, swallowing objects, hair-pulling, biting and banging heads or other body parts against walls.
It can be a way for people to cope with overwhelming emotions or combat feelings of numbness to reality.
Jan said that Harm’s main message was that help and support for people who self-harm did exist and, most importantly, that there was hope that they could learn to manage the condition.
“I’ve already had requests from educational and health professionals who want to incorporate it into their teaching and training packages, which is wonderful.
“Sam, the director, handled what is a very sensitive subject perfectly and has created a beautiful film.”
Harm, which has been entered in the Scottish mental health arts and film festival, is one of several educational training tools for nurses and teachers that Abertay is developing with Rebound.
More information about the organisation and its work, including its support group sessions, can be found at www.reboundshs.org.uk.