HELP
A list of treatment programs and resources for Self-injurers.

Spider's note: The following is a list I found which was compiled in 1993. Some of the numbers may have changed. We do not know about the quality of any of these programs, so this is not at all a set of recommendations. We do not necessarily advocate the hospitalization of self-mutilators, as it has sometimes done more harm than good in the experiences of people we've talked to. We are absolutely AGAINST the non-consensual, forced/coerced hospitalization of self-mutilators and minors.

Specialized Treatment Programs in the U.S.

Hartgrove Hospital's Program for the Treatment of Self-Injury,
520 North Ridgeway, Chicago, IL 60624; (312) 722-3113

Self-Abuse Finally Ends (SAFE) (800) DONT-CUT, or (800) 366-8288:
A national information line (not a crisis line) with referrals
to therapist-led support groups around the country.
They send out an information packet on request.

NHHI offers support groups for
adult survivors of abuse & sexual trauma who self-injure
in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Contact can be made to (317) 387-1926.

other resources

The Cutting Edge, a self-injury newsletter.
PO Box 20819, Cleveland, Oh 44120

Understanding self-injury: a workbook for survivors,
to help them understand self-destructive behaviors and explore alternatives
via writing and drawing exercises. To order, send $11 to:
Pittsburgh Action Against Rape, 81 S. 19th St, Pittsburgh, PA 15203- 1852.

Further resource information and an e-mail support network of cutters is available at this self injury site:
secret shame. You will also find a pretty well researched explanation of self-harm, with etiology and demographics, a look at the various diagnoses given to self-injurers, a long list of therapeutic approaches, quotes from personal stories, and a long list of references.

For the San Francisco Bay area

Suicide Prevention:

San Francisco (415) 221-1423
Alameda county (510) 849-2212
Contra Costa County (510) 939-3232
Santa Clara County (408) 279-3312

Emergency Psychiatric Services

San Francisco (415) 206-8125;
minors call (415) 558-8484 (day), (415) 387 8700 (evening)
Alameda County (510) 481-4141, (510) 797-1111
Contra Costa county (510) 370- 5700
Santa Clara County (408) 299-6234
California Youth Crisis Hotline (800) 843-5200

Short-term Hospitalization

McAuley Neuropsychiatric Institute of St. Mary's Medical Center,
San Francisco (415)750-5663

Psychiatry Department of UCSF (415) 476-7430
Ross Hospital, Ross (415) 593-2143

Alta Bates Medical Center, Berkeley (510) 204-4405

Stanford University Medical Center (415) 725-8773

Support Groups

Self-Mutilators Anonymous (707)528-9216 (information only, not a hotline).
An SMA group meets in San Francisco the first and third Saturdays of every month, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm,
at the Metropolitan Community Church, 150 Eureka St, room 105. For self-mutilators only.
An Oakland SMA group may have formed - call Mandana House for info at (510) 839-8844.

Bay Area Self-Help Support Center (415) 921-4044;
call for referrals to other support groups in your area.