British Red Cross Skin Camouflage service
 

Hi

I hope no one will mind me posting here. I'm Jim Griffin, and I work for the British Red Cross Skin Camouflage service, which teaches people how to cover scars, birthmarks or dermatological conditions they are sensitive about.

We are tailoring the service for young people who self-harm, and to secure the funding we need we have to present fifteen case studies. I am hoping people here - preferably from Scotland and ideally from the Glasgow, Renfrewshire or Lanarkshire areas - would be willing to contribute. I understand it's not an easy thing to talk about, but without testimonies we will struggle to find funding for the project. If you're not able to give details of your experience but could answer the first yes/no questions we would still value your contribution.

Your details
Male/Female (delete as appropriate)

Age:

The town where you live:

The service
Have you heard of the British Red Cross Skin Camouflage service before? Yes/No

Do you think this service would be useful for you?
Yes/No

You can come to a skin camouflage clinic if your doctor refers you to us. Would you be happy asking your doctor about this?
Yes/No

Would you be happier using the service without involving your doctor? Yes/No

We ask under 16s to visit the service with an adult. Would you be happy to do this?
Yes/No

If not, would you prefer to come:
Alone
With a friend

Do you self-harm, or have you self-harmed in the past?
Yes/No

Please describe your experiences , in as much detail as you are comfortable with

Thanks for taking the time to reply. If you'd like to help but would rather do so in private, you can either send me a private message or email me at jimgriffin@redcross.org.uk

If you live in the Glasgow & Renfrewshire area and would like to find out more about Skin Camouflage, you can email me any time.

Thanks again,

Jim.

Female

Age: 24

The town where you live: Sunderland, England

The service
Have you heard of the British Red Cross Skin Camouflage service before? Yes

Do you think this service would be useful for you?
No

You can come to a skin camouflage clinic if your doctor refers you to us. Would you be happy asking your doctor about this?
Yes

Would you be happier using the service without involving your doctor? Yes

We ask under 16s to visit the service with an adult. Would you be happy to do this?
Yes/No (not under 16, but a lot of young self harmers dont tell their parents so i think this would be slightly awkward)

If not, would you prefer to come:
Alone
With a friend

Do you self-harm, or have you self-harmed in the past?
Yes

Your details
Female

Age:
20

The town where you live:
Glasgow

The service
Yes

Do you think this service would be useful for you?
Yes

You can come to a skin camouflage clinic if your doctor refers you to us. Would you be happy asking your doctor about this?
Yes

Would you be happier using the service without involving your doctor?
Yes

Do you self-harm, or have you self-harmed in the past?
Yes

If you need anymore information, just PM me.

I'm not from UK at all, but would like to help somehow. We have a similar thing here in Slovenia so I think I could be of some use to you.

Your details
Female

Age:
19

The town where you live:
Glasgow

The service
Have you heard of the British Red Cross Skin Camouflage service before? Yes

Do you think this service would be useful for you?
Yes

You can come to a skin camouflage clinic if your doctor refers you to us. Would you be happy asking your doctor about this?
No

Would you be happier using the service without involving your doctor?
Yes

We ask under 16s to visit the service with an adult. Would you be happy to do this?
Over 16

If not, would you prefer to come:
N/A

Do you self-harm, or have you self-harmed in the past?
Yes

Please describe your experiences , in as much detail as you are comfortable with
Pm for details, don't want to write it here.

Thanks for the replies, everyone!

Angel Girl, sorry I didn't reply to you sooner. Slovenia is probably too far away for us to use in the funding proposal, but I'd be interested in anything you have to say as I'm tryign to learn as much as I can.

Thanks again!

I live in Cardiff, but I'm half Scottish, and have lived in Glasgow in the past...that any good?

Your details
Male

Age:
18

The town where you live:
England - Newcastle
The service
Have you heard of the British Red Cross Skin Camouflage service before? Yes

Do you think this service would be useful for you?
Yes

You can come to a skin camouflage clinic if your doctor refers you to us. Would you be happy asking your doctor about this?
Yes

Would you be happier using the service without involving your doctor? Yes/No
Yes.

We ask under 16s to visit the service with an adult. Would you be happy to do this?
Over 16

If not, would you prefer to come:
Over 16

Do you self-harm, or have you self-harmed in the past?
Yes


If you need anything else, don't hesitate PM'ing me :-)

Your details
Female

Age:
15

The town where you live:
Coventry, West Midlands

The service
Have you heard of the British Red Cross Skin Camouflage service before?
Yes

Do you think this service would be useful for you?
Yes

You can come to a skin camouflage clinic if your doctor refers you to us. Would you be happy asking your doctor about this?
Its not that i'd be unhappy asking a doctor, its that i cant easily go to see a doctor alone

Would you be happier using the service without involving your doctor?
Yess

We ask under 16s to visit the service with an adult. Would you be happy to do this?
No, not many self harmers tell their parents or anyone at all.

If not, would you prefer to come:
Alone
With a friend
Either, with a friend would be good but noone would come

Do you self-harm, or have you self-harmed in the past?
Yes

Please describe your experiences , in as much detail as you are comfortable with
Never good i'll say that much,
PM me for more

Your details
Male

Age:
18

The town where you live:
Stirling

Have you heard of the British Red Cross Skin Camouflage service before? No

Do you think this service would be useful for you?
No

You can come to a skin camouflage clinic if your doctor refers you to us. Would you be happy asking your doctor about this?
Yes

Would you be happier using the service without involving your doctor? Yes

We ask under 16s to visit the service with an adult. Would you be happy to do this?
No

If not, would you prefer to come:
Alone OR With a friend

Do you self-harm, or have you self-harmed in the past?
Yes

My self harm experience was very much something I didn't like talking to about with superiors. I only really talked about it with my friends so for someone like me, I'd prefer being able to go without referal from a doctor or parent, regardless of age.

I've never involved my parents in my SI history up until this day, even though I've now stopped for well over a year. I think if you'd have the best chances as an anonymous service available to all ages.

The reason I said it wouldn't have been useful was mainly because I never really needed help to hide my scars, I always did SI in discreet places. I'm sure other people would be more grateful for that service though.

I'm in cornwall, i guess thts too far away?

Your details
Female

Age: 18

The town where you live: nr Ipswich, Suffolk

The service
Have you heard of the British Red Cross Skin Camouflage service before? Yes

Do you think this service would be useful for you?
Yes

You can come to a skin camouflage clinic if your doctor refers you to us. Would you be happy asking your doctor about this?
Yes

Would you be happier using the service without involving your doctor? Yes

We ask under 16s to visit the service with an adult. Would you be happy to do this?
Im not under 16 but I honestly believe under 16s wouldnt want to come with an adult, unless it was their councellor or outreach worker or something similar.

If not, would you prefer to come:
Alone

Do you self-harm, or have you self-harmed in the past?
Yes

Please describe your experiences , in as much detail as you are comfortable with
Sorry if this is a little stupid, but, experiances with what?

I know I live out of the area but I hope this helps if you dont get enough people to respond in the area you are targetting.

Let us know how it goes xx

Your details
Female

Age:
19
The town where you live:
Sheffield

The service
Have you heard of the British Red Cross Skin Camouflage service before? No

Do you think this service would be useful for you?
Possibly

You can come to a skin camouflage clinic if your doctor refers you to us. Would you be happy asking your doctor about this?
I would prefer to be offered the service by a doctor/ therapist than asking.

Would you be happier using the service without involving your doctor? It could be a good approach to the service as some people are unsure and nervous with doctors

We ask under 16s to visit the service with an adult. Would you be happy to do this?
Many 16 year olds parents may not know of their self harm .

If not, would you prefer to come:
Alone
With a friend

Either would be fine depending on how close my friend was.

Do you self-harm, or have you self-harmed in the past?
Yes

Please describe your experiences , in as much detail as you are comfortable with

PM for details please

Your details
Female

Age:
20

The town where you live:
Southlanarkshire

The service
Yes

Do you think this service would be useful for you?
Yes

You can come to a skin camouflage clinic if your doctor refers you to us. Would you be happy asking your doctor about this?
Yes

Would you be happier using the service without involving your doctor? Yes

We ask under 16s to visit the service with an adult. Would you be happy to do this?
Don't think many people would be comfortable with that

If not, would you prefer to come:
Alone

Do you self-harm, or have you self-harmed in the past?
Yes

Please describe your experiences , in as much detail as you are comfortable with
Not sure what you want from this question, pm and i'll get back to you.

Your details
Female

Age:
21

The town where you live:
Rutherglen, Glasgow

The service
Have you heard of the British Red Cross Skin Camouflage service before? Yes

Do you think this service would be useful for you?
Yes

You can come to a skin camouflage clinic if your doctor refers you to us. Would you be happy asking your doctor about this?
Probably not

Would you be happier using the service without involving your doctor?
Yes

We ask under 16s to visit the service with an adult. Would you be happy to do this?
I wouldn't have been happy to do this at all. I think it risks kids not asking about the service, as they don't want to tell their parents.

If not, would you prefer to come:
Alone, or maybe with a friend

Do you self-harm, or have you self-harmed in the past?
Yes

Please describe your experiences , in as much detail as you are comfortable with
I'm with everyone else - not sure what you want to know. If you PM me, I'm definitely willing to help with any questions you have.

Your details
Female

Age:
14

The town where you live:
Cardiff

The service
Have you heard of the British Red Cross Skin Camouflage service before? Yes

Do you think this service would be useful for you?
Yes

You can come to a skin camouflage clinic if your doctor refers you to us. Would you be happy asking your doctor about this?
No

Would you be happier using the service without involving your doctor? Yes

We ask under 16s to visit the service with an adult. Would you be happy to do this?
No

If not, would you prefer to come:
With a friend

Do you self-harm, or have you self-harmed in the past?
Yes

Please describe your experiences , in as much detail as you are comfortable with
pm for details.

Your details
Female.

Age:
18.
The town where you live:
Barrhead

The service
Have you heard of the British Red Cross Skin Camouflage service before? Yes.

Do you think this service would be useful for you?
Maybe. Currently I don't have a problem with my scars but I might in the future.

You can come to a skin camouflage clinic if your doctor refers you to us. Would you be happy asking your doctor about this?
Yes.

Would you be happier using the service without involving your doctor? Yes.

We ask under 16s to visit the service with an adult. Would you be happy to do this?
N/A as I'm not under 16. But I know if I was 15 then I wouldn't be happy attending with an adult.

If not, would you prefer to come:
Personally I would prefer alone but I'm a very private person, other people tend not to be, especially with friends.

Do you self-harm, or have you self-harmed in the past?
Yes.

Please describe your experiences , in as much detail as you are comfortable with.
I started self harming around 13 I don't see myself as recovered but I haven't done it for about 6 months. My self harming started out as scratching with metal objects to punching to cutting. The cuts have always been deep enough to scar, some more than others, depending on my mood, instrument and where I was cutting. Now I'm mainly covered in white scars, but there are a few pink ones, and even though they're mainly white they're still quite visible. As I said, right now I have learned to accept my scars as a very important part of me and I wouldn't dream of trying to deny them, but of course feelings may change and if they do I'd definitely look into this service.
Not sure that's what you wanted from that question, but you've got it anyway.

If you want anymore info then please PM me.

Your details
Female

Age:
15

The town where you live:
Manchester,UK

The service
Have you heard of the British Red Cross Skin Camouflage service before?
Yes

Do you think this service would be useful for you?
Yes

You can come to a skin camouflage clinic if your doctor refers you to us. Would you be happy asking your doctor about this?
I'd be happy to tell my mum,who would then ask the doctor for me.

Would you be happier using the service without involving your doctor?
Well it would be easier,yes.

We ask under 16s to visit the service with an adult. Would you be happy to do this?
I might as she does know,but it would be too awqard.

If not, would you prefer to come:
Alone or with my best friend.

Do you self-harm, or have you self-harmed in the past?
Yes,i currently self-harm.

Please describe your experiences , in as much detail as you are comfortable with
Urm,i started cutting when i was 12. It started off scratching with sharp small objects,to cutting with a very sharp object,to burning. I do have a lot of scars,which i have tried getting rid of in the past,but it quickly became too much for me to handle my life without them,so i got rid of the make up(not even a day after,it was easy to get off). I want to stop,i really do,but then again ive wanted to stop since the day i started,so stopping sometimes isn't an option for me. Self-harm has a way of ruining everything,family relationships,friendships,school,exams,self-esteem. It quickly eats away at all the positives in your life.
Self-harm to me is like a long car journey,it starts off bumpy,then you soon lose your way and the problems start to arise. One day the car journey will stop,and you'll get out the car a new person,in a new place.But whether you reach your destination in time or not is a different matter.
Pm me if you need any more details

Your details
Female

Age:
18

The town where you live:
Worcester,UK

The service
Have you heard of the British Red Cross Skin Camouflage service before?
Yes

Do you think this service would be useful for you?
Possibly. I make an effort to cover up around children or some extended family members. I forsee occasions in the future where I might benefit from some camouflage.

You can come to a skin camouflage clinic if your doctor refers you to us. Would you be happy asking your doctor about this?
It depends on the doctor I was seeing.

Would you be happier using the service without involving your doctor?
Yes.

We ask under 16s to visit the service with an adult. Would you be happy to do this?
When I was 16 probably not however now I would.

If not, would you prefer to come:
Alone.

Do you self-harm, or have you self-harmed in the past?
Yes. I still occasionally SI.

Please describe your experiences , in as much detail as you are comfortable with
I started self harming when i was 11. It was progressive, starting with scratching and eventually progressing to using tools. It is definitely an addiction and as such I became dependent on it to cope during difficult times. Depression is common in my family and a combination of factors led to my depression. I was clinically depressed for several years and was barely able to function. It was a miserable time. I eventually had a break down in the last week of 2006 and was referred to psychiatric services after dropping out of college and having to go to casualty for stitches when I was in too much of a state to close and dress the wound myself. After intense therapy and medication I'm in a much better place. I'm equipped to deal with my demons and finished my A levels against all odds getting ABB in philosophy, biology and eng lit.

Before all this happened I was a grade A student. I was going to go to University and whatever. But now I know so much more about myself. I have a compassion and maturity that I would not otherwise have and self belief and a determination to move forward.

Self harm is still a part of my life. Its sort of a bad habit that I'm not quite ready to relinquish but I will one day.

Your details
Female

Age:
18

The town where you live:
Worcester,UK

The service
Have you heard of the British Red Cross Skin Camouflage service before?
Yes

Do you think this service would be useful for you?
Possibly. I make an effort to cover up around children or some extended family members. I forsee occasions in the future where I might benefit from some camouflage.

You can come to a skin camouflage clinic if your doctor refers you to us. Would you be happy asking your doctor about this?
It depends on the doctor I was seeing.

Would you be happier using the service without involving your doctor?
Yes.

We ask under 16s to visit the service with an adult. Would you be happy to do this?
When I was 16 probably not however now I would.

If not, would you prefer to come:
Alone.

Do you self-harm, or have you self-harmed in the past?
Yes. I still occasionally SI.

Please describe your experiences , in as much detail as you are comfortable with
I started self harming when i was 11. It was progressive, starting with scratching and eventually progressing to using tools. It is definitely an addiction and as such I became dependent on it to cope during difficult times. Depression is common in my family and a combination of factors led to my depression. I was clinically depressed for several years and was barely able to function. It was a miserable time. I eventually had a break down in the last week of 2006 and was referred to psychiatric services after dropping out of college and having to go to casualty for stitches when I was in too much of a state to close and dress the wound myself. After intense therapy and medication I'm in a much better place. I'm equipped to deal with my demons and finished my A levels against all odds getting ABB in philosophy, biology and eng lit.

Before all this happened I was a grade A student. I was going to go to University and whatever. But now I know so much more about myself. I have a compassion and maturity that I would not otherwise have and self belief and a determination to move forward.

Self harm is still a part of my life. Its sort of a bad habit that I'm not quite ready to relinquish but I will one day.