This was the type of question raised at a ground-breaking new course about deliberate self-injury held by Southern Community Welfare (SCW) in Kirrawee.

An Australian-first, the graduates of the three-day SAFE In Oz course will take their knowledge into the shire community to identify and counsel those with this often-debilitating behaviour.

The incidence of deliberate self-injury in the community is far greater than statistics suggest, according to SCW executive director Jeanene Ecob. ``We want people to find soothing, healthy alternatives to self-injury,'' Ms Ecob said.

Annie Slocombe, co-director of SAFE In Oz, said the the course was based on a Canadian model.

"What makes it different is that it includes peer support, a program, and family support,'' she said.

The program is an intensive module-based course designed to achieve an individual's resolve to overcome self-harm.

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reported that there were more than 25,000 episodes of hospitalisation due to self-harm in 1997-8, 57 per cent of them being females.

Almost a decade later the incidence of females inflicting self-harm has increased by 51 per cent, with the majority of these aged between 12 and 24.

Course organisers said the true figures for deliberate self-injury are much higher, as many cases go unreported, and that boys were not represented as highly in statistical terms because they often expressed self-injury in other ways, such as aggression.

Details: Karlyn Johns on 0411 800 260 or kjohns@scw.org.au or Jeanene Ecob on 9545 0299 or email jecob@scw.org.au, or visit www.scw.org.au

Sh ould there be more help for people who battle with self harm?