What does the Bible really say about...Self-harm

I am a Christian, married mum of pre-teens. I do absolutely believe Jesus is Lord, I want to live my life honouring him in everything, I KNOW 100% that my Abba is Good, that his timing is perfect, and in this last year particularly he has been so faithful, and has worked so many things together and answered prayers said an unsaid as our family go through spectacularly hard times.
But I have SH’d on and off since 14. After several huge things happened to our family this year, then another, I spiralled down again, and couldn’t seem to control the urge. I know I am loved by God, and that SH is a sin. I am wary of counselling/talking therapies for good reason, and any help apart from God feels uncomfortable and empty. I have learned that telling church family about this doesn’t go well.
It’s like Paul said, I do what I don’t want to, and don’t do what I ought to. But I KNOW I love my Lord deeply, though this does come between me and his spirit.
Until this short little book I have never found something about SH that really understands my contradiction. It is a relief in so many ways to know that someone else has been in the same position, and I can’t explain how reading it somehow took the pressure off. It is beautifully and gracefully written, and explains, even to me, some of the reasons I do it and how God sees it from a biblical standpoint. The writer has clearly had a lot of experience and knowledge that does align with (for want of a better word) secular research, but also gracefully explains it through a biblical, faith standpoint.
It had very good advice too. It’s the only SH resource I have shown to my husband, who has since changed his approach to me and it for the better.
I asked God to know how he sees SH, and he answered (partly) in this book. It has been a blessing. In working those things out I’ve been able to deal much, much better with those urges.
For people like myself, or their family, I can’t recommend this book enough.
I hope Gemma Bibb sees this too. Thank you.

This is a very helpful introduction and overview of the topic of self-harm. It covers what self harm is, why people might self harm, how to help (others) and how to help (ourselves). It is very easy to read, and would be accessible for a teenager or adult in terms of language and amount of text. There are summary points in each chapter which makes it easy to stay focussed. It seemed to be aimed at Christians struggling with self-harm as the author presumes the harmer is a child of God. However, the understanding of self-harm is still helpful to a 'helper' if the harmer does not yet know God. It is compassionately written and the author herself states she has personal experience so it doesn't feel 'preachy'. As it is a booklet, it is more an introduction to the topic rather than an in-depth analysis, but there are recommended resources at the end of the booklet for further reading if desired. I found it helpful and the tips about how to help were very practical and wise.

This is a great little book. Great help to get a quick understanding of self harm, and how to start dealing with it. Good to carry for someone struggling to open and be pointed to scripture.

As someone who works with children who self harm this was an amazing resource to use both in learning more on self harm and in helping children u understand self harm. Add to that the amazing link with Christianity and it is an amazing booklet written by the author. I've already had this book agreed to be used with non Christians and it has helped them in both understanding there own self harm and how God can help them to feel loved and valued. This book has lead to some amazing conversations in my place of work with these amazing children