Abstract
This study is a narrative analysis of the written stories of 10 people, including the author, all of whom negotiated with a process of healing in the context of self-harm. The purpose of the research was to explore and elucidate alternative narratives about individuals who self-harm within the context of healing, stories which are sometimes obscured by the dominant pathologising discourse of self-harm present in psychiatry. A narrative approach was taken as it focuses on the person’s own story from their perspective, and can facilitate the uncovering of enabling, meaningful and ethical narratives. The analysis highlighted three primary narrative forms - healing as reconciliation, healing as empowerment and healing as an ongoing struggle. These narrative forms suggest that although there are different pathways that people take in their healing journeys, four commonalities existed across accounts. These included multiple meanings of self-harm, demonstrating how healing is attempted and occurs through self-harm; negotiations with the self to minimise harm and substitute self-harm for less ‘harmful’ behaviours; development and expansion of identity; and self in relation to others. The study highlights that healing is a context and meaning driven process that is ongoing and dynamic and as such is part of the very fabric of participants’ lives. The findings highlight the role of oppression, injustice and powerlessness that are often inextricably linked to self-harm and supports the need for a more critically informed clinical approach that addresses social disadvantage in self-harm prevention.