Tulisa supports Self-Harm Awareness Day

                 
                            N-Dubz and X-Factor star Tulisa Contostavios is adding her voice to the campaign to encourage young people to talk to someone about self-harm.

Tulisa answers our questions about self-harm

Tulisa wants young people to know they don't have to cope with self-harm on their own, you can get help and support. Here she talks to us about how self-harm is more than attention seeking. Tulisa

What do you think is the most unhelpful myth about self-harm?

"It’s generally a very misunderstood issue unless you’ve experienced it first-hand. I think people dismiss it as something people do to get attention but that’s not the case at all for most people. It’s far more complex than that."

What would you say to your 15 year-old-self knowing what you know now?

"I wished I’d known that there were people that could have supported me, even just listened to me, in total confidence, such as ChildLine. I felt so isolated and lonely and now I know I needn’t have. I really feel I could have saved myself a great deal of suffering."

What would you say to anyone that’s worried about a friend who’s self–harming?

"Please, please talk to somebody. If you feel you do not have anybody you know personally that you can completely trust please contact ChildLine.

Dealing with your problem alone makes you feel trapped and this makes your suffering even worse. There is support and advice out there and you are by no means the only one. There are so, so many more people in your situation and there are people waiting to give you all the help and advice you need."

A message from Tulisa

"It’s incredibly sad that so many young people are using self-harm as a way to deal with their issues and that many are suffering in silence.

I’ve experienced difficult periods in the past but having somebody to talk to makes the world of difference.

I know many young people don't have this and I hope they can be made aware that they can contact the charities supporting this campaign to give them the care, help and support they need.”

If you ever feel like hurting yourself, please remember you’re not alone - ChildLine is here for you. You can speak to a counsellor by calling free on 0800 1111 or through 1-2-1 chat online.