Need help right now?
If someone needs immediate help with active self-harm, use emergency mode.
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DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person is actively cutting, burning, or injuring themselves and may need medical and psychological help.
The essentials if you need to act right now.
Pressure on bleeding. Call 112 if severe. Remove sharp objects calmly. Stay with them.
What might I see? Observable signs — no diagnosis required.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Visible cuts, burns, or blood during or after self-injury.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Person alone with blades, broken glass, or ligatures.
Optional deeper explanation — not required to act.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Self-harm is often an expression of unbearable distress, not always suicide intent.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Physical injury still needs medical treatment regardless of intent.
Check the scene before you approach.
Civilian-safe actions you can take.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Speak calmly: "I want to help keep you safe."
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If bleeding — apply clean cloth pressure to worst wound.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112 if bleeding soaks through or cut is deep/gaping.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — When safe, remove sharp objects from reach without grabbing the person.
When and how to get professional help.
Heavy bleeding, deep cuts, or repeated self-harm attempts need emergency care.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — First aid for injury, reduce access to means, connect to crisis help. Address underlying crisis professionally.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112 for medical emergency if severe injury.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Crisis helpline for ongoing psychological support after immediate safety.
Dangerous actions, when not to attempt rescue, and common myths.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT shame ("How could you do this") or threaten punishment.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT ignore serious wounds because it was self-inflicted.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Self-harm is only attention-seeking — ignore minor cuts
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Self-harm signals serious distress and carries medical infection and accidental severe injury risks.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Untreated wounds and missed mental health crisis.
Other scenarios in the same family.
Crowd panic
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — In a stadium, festival, or emergency, a crowd surges, screams, and people risk trampling or crush injuries.
Suicidal crisis
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person expresses hopelessness, plans to die, or has access to means of self-harm.
Violent agitation
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person is shouting, throwing objects, or threatening violence — possibly from mental illness, drugs, or extreme stress.
Psychotic episode
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person hears voices, has paranoid beliefs, or behaves unpredictably due to a psychotic episode.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Wounds needing stitches, tetanus, or blood loss need hospital care.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Mental health follow-up is critical after stabilization.