Profiles

Here, you can find any of the interviews on this site.



Fiona

Fiona's 28 year old son has a long history of self-harm, which started when he was 9 after sexual abuse by his father. Fiona supported him through problems with drugs and alcohol and was relieved when he recently said he no longer wanted to die, though she is constantly vigilant.

  • Background

    Fiona, 57, is divorced with four children aged 35, 33, 29 and 28. She works in Mental Health, helping people to live as independently as possible. Ethnic background: White.

  • Age at interview 57
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Annette

    Annette's son started self-harming when he was 17. He used various methods, including cutting, overdoses, electrocution and hanging, and has threatened to jump from high places. Annette never gave up supporting him; he is now much happier and no longer harms himself.

  • Background

    Annette, 54, is single with a 28 year old son. She used to work as an administrator, and is now a part-time student. Ethnic background: White British.

  • Age at interview 54
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Susan Z

    Susan's younger daughter cut herself in her early teens. She now lives in Australia, where she has been depressed, has overdosed, and was recently diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. Susan is anxious about her, but hopes her therapist will help her develop better coping strategies.

  • Background

    Susan, 58, is married with two daughters aged 23 and 25. She is a part-time librarian. Ethnic background: White British.

  • Age at interview 58
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Mary

    Mary's son has been self-harming (minor cuts and scratches) for several years. The cutting became worse after he started university, and he now lives at home. He still cuts himself intermittently and threatens suicide. Mary accepts the cutting as something he needs to do

  • Background

    Mary, 62, is married with one son aged 23 years. She works as a part-time writer and tutor. Ethnic background: White British.

  • Age at interview 62
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Philip

    Philip thinks his son started cutting himself when he was about 20. He lives at home with his parents and has had several years contact with mental health services. Philip describes the difficulties of the situation and advises other parents not to give up.

  • Background

    Philip, 59, is married with one son aged 23. He has worked as an accountant and computer consultant, and is now a self-employed handyman. Ethnic background: White British.

  • Age at interview 59
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Tam

    Tam was born in the USA but now lives in the UK with her second husband and their son. Her 14 year old daughter started cutting herself while living with her father in the US, but came to live with Tam 4 months ago. Tam is going to access self-harm services through her GP.

  • Background

    Tam is 43, married with four daughters aged 20, 20 (twins), 17 and 14, and a one-year old son. She works as a healthcare research contracts administrator. Ethnic background: White.

  • Age at interview 43
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Charles

    Charless elder son became depressed and started self-harming aged 16. He is being treated by CAMHS and private psychologists. Charles finds his mood swings very worrying and difficult to deal with.

  • Background

    Charles, 61, is a retired company director, married with three children aged 17, 14 and 12. Ethnic background: White British.

  • Age at interview 61
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Erica

    Erica's younger daughter took a serious overdose when she was 14 and spent time in a psychiatric hospital. Erica says never, ever give up on your children'.

  • Background

    Erica, age 48, is divorced with two daughters age 20 and 17. She works as an administrator in children’s social care. Ethnic background: White European.

  • Age at interview 48
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Isobel

    Isobel's younger daughter took the first of three overdoses when she was 15, but has not repeated this for nearly a year. Isobel says she is more mature now and able to talk about how she feels.

  • Background

    Isobel, age 46, is a social worker. She is single, with two daughters aged 17 and 22. Ethnic background: White British.

  • Age at interview 46
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Liz

    Liz's middle daughter started cutting when she was 16. She later developed an eating disorder and took an overdose. Liz thinks it is important for parents to let their child know that they want to help and to find a way to communicate.

  • Background

    Liz, 52, is a research assistant, married with three daughters. Ethnic background: White British.

  • Age at interview 52
  • Sex/Gender Female