Self harm strategy and action plan 2023 to 2027: equality impact assessment

Executive summary

Self-Harm is a complex and sensitive issue. It is not a mental health condition or illness but a range of behaviours that can be an indicator of poorer mental health and wellbeing. Self-harm can affect anyone but the evidence suggests it is more prevalent in young people, women and some marginalised communities. Self-harm has many functions and varies widely from individual to individual, but it is recognised as often being a response to trauma or distress.

Our vision is for people who have self-harmed or who are thinking of self-harming, to receive compassionate, recovery-focused support, without fear of stigma or discrimination.

In order to achieve this, our action plan focuses on three priority areas:

1. Continue to expand and deepen knowledge and embed compassionate understanding of self-harm, tackling stigma and discrimination.

2. Continue to build person-centred support and services across Scotland, to meet the needs of people affected by self-harm.

3. Review, improve and share data and evidence to drive improvements in support and service responses for people who self-harm, or who are at increased risk of doing so.