Helplines in Kenya.

Self-harm helplines are available in Kenya

Self-harm may offer you relief from painful emotions in the moment, but it can leave you feeling worse afterward. It cannot solve your problems or remove the source of your pain. If you struggle with the following, you can get help from one of 2 in Kenya:

• Feeling like normal ways of coping don't work for you – the pain is a last resort
• Craving physical pain as a distraction from overwhelming emotions
• Feeling reckless, not caring whether you get hurt
• Feeling like you need to hide injuries from those who care about you
• Feeling like you deserve the pain
• Taking part in high-risk activities, disregarding safety
• Not wanting to die, but still feeling like you need the pain
• Imagining hurting yourself

Since self-harm provides immediate, in-the-moment relief from painful emotions, it’s easy to become reliant on it as your go-to coping mechanism. Stopping may seem impossible and you may be ashamed to even talk about it. However, self-harm is more common than you think. Many people struggle to manage intense emotions.

Talking about how you feel can be difficult,, especially if you tend to bottle things up. But talking can offer you a healthy alternative for releasing negative emotions. Helpline counselors in Kenya want to listen to you and support you. They can help you find ways to feel better without hurting yourself.

If you feel like you might need support with self harm, try reaching out to a hotline in Kenya. It's free and confidential.