Here, you can find any of the interviews on this site.
Jo-Ann's daughter began cutting herself at the age of 11 but, looking back, Jo-Ann thinks some of her behaviour as a very young child was a form of self-harming. Jo-Ann has learned to understand the way her daughter sees the world and the fear that makes her self-harm.
Jo-Ann is 50, separated with one child. Ethnic background: White British.
Although she was shocked to discover her daughter's self-harming, at the age of 13, Roisin was able to understand her daughter's feelings and to find effective help for her. She is 17 at the time of interview and hasn't self-harmed for a year.
Ethnic background/nationality: White British.
Dot was devastated when her, apparently happy, 15 year old daughter told her that she was cutting herself. Dot thinks that her daughter was helped by counselling. She herself was helped by getting information about self-harm from experts that she worked with at the time.
Ethnic background/nationality: White British.
Sharon's daughter is now 15 and started self-harming at around the age of 12. Sharon's own history gives her some understanding of her daughter's motivation to self-harm.
Sharon, age 37, is a lab technician. She is divorced and has two children. Ethnic background: White British.
Alexiss daughter is now 22 and started self-harming at the age of 11. She hasn't self-harmed in the last two years. Alexis says nothing can prepare you for the sadness, loneliness, fear and lack of support that you go through as a parent when your child is self-harming.
Alexis, age 50, is a rehabilitation officer working with visually impaired people. She is divorced and with a new partner. She has two children. Ethnic background: White British.
Ruth's eldest daughter began cutting herself during a long period of absence from school between the ages of 12 and 13. She no longer hides her cutting, which Ruth describes as horrifying.'
Ruth, age 40, is a post-graduate student, married with two children. Ethnic background: White Scottish.
NO BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS AT INTERVIEWEE'S REQUEST
NO BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS AT INTERVIEWEE’S REQUEST
Jane's younger daughter started cutting herself when she was 14. She was referred to CAMHS after taking an overdose. Jane did not find this helpful, but is positive about contact with Harmless, a self-harm support organisation.
Jane is married with two daughters aged 15 and 17. She works from home helping manage her husband’s business. Ethnic background: White British.
Anna's daughter started self-harming when she was fifteen and a half, but stopped after six months. Anna describes her contact with services and strategies for dealing with self-harm.
Anna is a 46 year old widow who works as a teacher. She lives with her 18 year old daughter, her partner and his 17 year old son. Ethnic background:...
Debbie's elder daughter started self-harming when she was about 9 years old. She developed an eating disorder and has been an inpatient, but is now improving with dialectical behaviour therapy. Debbie is positive about the future.
Debbie, aged 37, is married with three children aged 16, 14 and 12. She works part-time as a midwife. Ethnic background: White British.
