You might be self-harming or know someone who does. It can be really hard to start talking about it with anyone.
Let someone know
The first thing to understand is that there is nothing to be ashamed of, but it can be hard to see that.
It takes a lot of courage to open-up and talk to someone about it. If you have a friend or an adult that you trust, you could try talking to them. You do not have to go through it alone.
Find someone that you feel safe and comfortable with and think about how you would like to tell them. It might be face-to-face, by text, writing it down, or on a call.
Get the help you need
If you have talked to an adult you trust, they might be able to find professional help if that’s what you want (or show you how to do it).
Or you can speak to your doctor and they can refer you to the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS). They’ll meet with you to work out the best way to support you. It might be that you get offered counselling or therapy.
If you don’t feel you want professional help right now there are other people you can just talk to.
Ways to help yourself
There are some ways you can make yourself feel better. This might be writing about how you feel or drawing to express your feelings.
Remember, this is just for you, and no-one will judge you for what you write or draw.
There are other things you can do to help yourself feel better.
Small things that can help boost your mood are:
- do something you enjoy
- make plans to go out with friends
- go for a walk
- listen to your favourite music
- try to rest enough and relax when you can
If you know someone who is self-harming
If someone close to you is self-harming, you can be there for them and listen.
You can:
- let them know you are there
- not judge them or what they are doing
- let them make their own decisions
- help them find support