BPS Self-harm accredited training and mainstream education in mental health and wellbeing.

EDINBURGH, Scotland - Aug. 30, 2013 - PRLog -- It is estimated that 250,000 people attend A&E in the UK every year due to self-inflicted injuries.

That is only the tip of the iceberg as many people do not seek medical attention. This is an issue on the increase. Most people who have lived experience of self-harm do not meet mental illness diagnostic criteria and manage their wounds at home. The stigma attached to self-harm stems from its conexion to suicide.

For a long time, this issue has been a taboo and as a consequence service provision, training and policies have been patchy. In May 2013, the Scottish Government carried out a consultation to develop the next strategic plan to respond to self-harm and suicide. The report is due shortly and training will be one the main objectives.

"In order to work and/or support people who self-harm, we need to acknowledge that self-harm is not the problem; the problem wil be the underlying issues provoking psychological distress" said Maria Naranjo, HarmLESS Psychotherapy Director.

HarmLESS Psychotherapy Social Enterprise has now open registration for the new Training Programme 2013 - 2014. They are launching an exciting new curriculum in recognition to a growing demand for mainstream education in mental health and well-being.

Maria Naranjo, HarmLESS Psychotherapy, states that we live in a society which is focused on fear, competition, materialism and consumerism. It is not wonder that more and more people experience psychological distress which may lead to mental health concerns. Hence, it is essential that people educate themselves in order to improve mental health and wellbeing.

HarmLESS Psychotherapy has provided learning opportunities for more than 600 people since inception in September 2011 including their highly popular British Psychological Society Accredited Specialist Training on Managing Self-harming Behaviours.

Attendees to the workshops stated: "This training was the best I have attended in many years, really inspirational, interesting and motivational"; "The facilitators are amazing and very knowledgable"

According to Maria Naranjo, mental health is not the absence of symptoms but a committment to become the best person you can be.

For more information www.harmlesspsychotherapy.com