Hey,
I think posting a thread like this is a great start because it's clear that you want help to stop self harming, and that is the biggest step you are ever going to have to take with the self harming.
A good place to start on what will help, is working out your motivations for giving up self harm. You wrote about not wanting to end up in hospital again - which is definitely a good motivator! Is there anything else that motivates you?
I wonder if starting a self harm recovery notebook would be helpful for you? All my stuff I've actually put on a poster so that I can see it straight away. On the first pages you could put your reasons for wanting to give up self harm. You could also write down some goals and dreams that you have, if self harm was not an issue.
As you go along, you will work out what is helpful for you in terms of distractions. For me personally, distractions aren't always that helpful. I tend to have to sit out the urges but every time I do this, I prove to myself that I can! Or I just have to get out of the house so that I can't hurt myself.
It's important to find a new coping mechanism as that is what your self harm was to you. I think for me, I have found that writing is one of my ways to cope with difficult situations and also talking, lots of talking!! That could be with a helpline or someone you trust.
As you have been in hospital, are you getting any follow up support?
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