A SWINDON support group is calling on the public to get behind a Self-Injury Awareness Day and promote the help they provide.

The annual international event is taking place on Sunday and aims to prevent self-harm and end the stigma associated with it.

Maria Burchell, 46, is project co-ordinator of Swindon Mind’s Preservation Around Self Harm service and is marking the awareness day by encouraging vulnerable people to come forward and seek help.

She said: “I work with individuals from the age of 16 onwards, from the Swindon area, who self-injure and self-harm. The awareness day tries to promote the support available.

“Our project looks at removing the misunderstanding associated with self-harm and self-injury.”

PASH carry out their appointment-only work through referrals and self-referrals.

The group offers one-on-one counselling, a confidence building programme and work surrounding personality disorder.

Maria has been with the organisation, which also has a dedicated team of volunteers, since it began in 2007.

She said: “Each year, we work with around 100 people.

“As is the case nationally, we are seeing numbers of people self-harming increasing.

“I don’t think there are enough resources being put into addressing the issues and this clearly isn’t an issue that is going away.”

Maria is saddened that self-harming is on the increase but takes encouragement from people now being more likely to come forward and speak about their problems.

PASH works with people of all backgrounds over the age of 16.

The organisation was previously based in Milton Road before moving to a new base at the Swindon Advice and Support Centre, Sanford Street, in January.

Maria said: “The move has been great as it has allowed us to work under Swindon Mind’s umbrella, which has given us more recognition and further raised awareness.”

Call 01793 432031 or email pash@swindonmind.org to find out more about PASH’s services.