The Church and Self Harm Project

This #LGBTHistoryMonth, our @outatgreenbelt.bsky.social volunteer team are digging through our archives to share LGBTQ+ voices from the festival that still hit home. We’re kicking things off with Sarah’s recommendation. “It's so powerful to hear her ideas about what queerness adds to Christianity.”

Thank you to everyone who has shared this, or responded.
I haven't yet heard from any men; your voices are often missing from stories about self-harm in community settings, rather than forensic or psychiatric. If you have a story to tell, you are welcome and included here.
linktr.ee/churchandsel...

@mccnorthlondon.bsky.social Thank you so much for your support; would you mind sharing this again? Several people have kindly shared experiences, but the survey is still open.
I have not yet heard from any men yet, and men's voices are often missing from stories about self-harm in the community.

@mandwchurch.org.uk Thank you so much for your support; would you mind sharing this again? Several people have kindly shared their experiences, but the survey is still open.
I have not yet heard from any men yet, and men's voices are often missing from stories about self-harm in the community.

@elainefarrow.bsky.social Thank you so much for your support; would you mind sharing this again? Several people have kindly shared their experiences, but the survey is still open.
I have not yet heard from any men yet, and men's voices are often missing from stories about self-harm in the community.

Thank you so much for your support; would you mind sharing the post again? Several people have kindly shared their experiences, but I am still looking for responses. In particular, I have not yet heard from any men, and men's voices are often missing from stories about self-harm in the community.

I am still looking for a few more respondents would you mind sharing once more? Thank you!
I am undertaking a research project into how people who self-harm experience pastoral care at church. I have lived experience in this area, and DMs are open if you have any questions. linktr.ee/churchandsel...

If you have a chance today to post this link once again, I would really appreciate your support. I am still hoping to reach a few more people, and have not yet heard any men's stories.
linktr.ee/churchandsel...

Thank you to everyone who has already shared (and, especially, who has responded).

Please keep sharing the project it all helps to reach people who feel able to share their experiences and I hope that eventually it will lead to good quality recommendations for future care and support.

Thank you! If you have a chance, would you mind sharing once more? I am hoping for a few more responses, although several people have kindly shared their experiences so far.

Thank you to everyone who has already shared (and, especially, who has responded).

Please keep sharing the project it all helps to reach people who feel able to share their experiences and I hope that eventually it will lead to good quality recommendations for future care and support.

This is devastatingly awful - for Jess, personally, and for everyone pushed into a similar situation. Access to Work is vital funding and to cut it in this manner, without explanation, is just beyond words. Especially amid all the trumpeting around forcing disabled people back into employment.

Thank you for sharing, I really appreciate it

#tinyjoys on a gloomy day

Thank you everyone who has shared the project today, please keep sharing it.
If you're hesitant to share your story and would like to discuss the project please use the email address in my bio.

Thank you so much, totally understandable

@revdgavinwort.bsky.social Good morning; I am working on a project to understand the pastoral care experiences of people who have experienced self-harm. If you are able to share the links I would be very grateful.
Rev. Kate Harford
(University chaplain, MCC minister & MA student)

If you have an experience you wish to share about disclosing self-harm to a leader in a church in the UK, please follow the link to complete a survey:
tinyurl.com/ChurchAndSel...

@fcg-chaplaincyhub.bsky.social Good morning I am working on a project to understand the pastoral care experiences of people who have experienced self-harm. If you are able to share the links I would be very grateful.
Rev. Kate Harford
(University chaplain, MCC minister & MA student)

Thank you so much! I know I'm asking people for a great deal of trust and emotional energy & really appreciate you sharing.

@rdsallynash.bsky.social Hi Sally, I am working on a project to understand the pastoral care experiences of people who have experienced self-harm. If you are able to share the links with your community I would be very grateful.
Rev. Kate Harford
(University chaplain, MCC minister & MA student)

@symonhill.bsky.social Hi Symon, I'm working on a project to understand the pastoral care experiences of people who have experienced self-harm. I'm still hoping for a few more responses, would you be able to share the links with your community to help me expand my reach! Thank you! (Kate Harford)

@kcl-chaplaincy.bsky.social Good morning I am working on a project to understand the pastoral care experiences of people who have experienced self-harm. If you are able to share the links with your community I would be very grateful.
Rev. Kate Harford
(University chaplain, MCC minister & MA student)

Good morning, friends. I am conducting research into the pastoral care experiences of adults who have self-harmed.
If you know an organisation or individual who could help me to reach more people with a story to share, please pass on the details. Thank you!
linktr.ee/ChurchAndSel...

Good afternoon, friends. I'm working on a project, arising from lived experience, looking at what happens when someone shares their self-harm at church.
Participants need to be adults but you can tell a story about your younger self. Please share or complete the form.
tinyurl.com/ChurchAndSelfHarm

Thank you to that person - and to everyone who has sent me comments and feedback either here or through the form. As far as the constraints of an MA allow I hope this project is a dialogue between us as people with shared experiences.

However, I am trying to take a respondent-led approach to this and after feedback from one respondent I have added a note that people who wish their survey responses not to be connected to their interview can email me.

On the survey, I have provided an option for people to give contact details if they wish to be interviewed - being able to associate an interviewee with their answers to a survey has some research value. I went back and forth on this with the survey testers, as well, before deciding to leave it in.

@inclusivechurch.bsky.social I am working on a project to understand the pastoral care experiences of people who have experienced self-harm. If you feel able to share the links with your community I would be very grateful.
Rev. Kate Harford
(MCC minister and MA student)

@inclusivecommunity.bsky.social I am working on a project to understand the pastoral care experiences of people who have experienced self-harm. If you feel able to share the links with your community I would be very grateful.
Rev. Kate Harford
(MCC minister and MA student)