A couple of days ago, my cousin came over for dinner. He seemed very depressed; significantly less active in interraction than he did a year ago. Whenever I'd try talking to him, I was given a 'bleh' response (not really negative, but rather emotionless). Even when I offered to watch anime with him, a proposal he NEVER refused before, he denied, saying 'no...thanks'.
But here's the main part- come dinner time, we all sit down to eat. When he reaches for his fork, I notice several infected slashes on his lower right forearm, and immediately I felt a deep sense of both despair and shock. I didn't say anytihng at the table. However, when we were alone at one point, I told him what I saw very calmly, and he shrugged, saying 'eh....em...right', and walked off. I swear I heard him whimper, too.
On instant messaging, hes told me about struggling with school bullies, and always got so down about it. I want to show him love, care, and acceptance school doesnt provide.
What do I do?
2007-01-07 19:05:35 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Family & Relationships ➔ Other - Family & Relationships
If you want to help him heres what u do
u tell his parents in a good way. you tell them the truth and say you're worried about him. admit its not his fault in the sense that he's going through a lot. they should look into counseling and definetly see a doctor. he may be embarrassed, but that stuff is dangerous andd can be considered an adiction.
he may not thank u now, but in a few years he will. you'll be doing the right thing. don't let this PROBLEM GET OUT OF HAND!
2007-01-07 19:24:37 · answer #1 · answered by thank you come again 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This must be such a worry for you. You don't say how old your cousin is but I think you must realize he's in deep emotional trouble. He has all the signs of having a serious depression and it is awful for him if he's being bullied. This is out of your control. This problem is bigger than the two of you. It really means you should tell someone. Pick someone you trust to handle this intelligently (one of your parents, one of his parents, a teacher or other mature family member or friend. It is really important that he gets expert counselling and support. If he is cutting himself he is expressing some serious emotional pain and he is crying out for help. Just the fact he let you see his cuts could be his way of asking for help.
This link has some good plain information:
http://www.kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/mental_health/cutting.html
Please don't feel you should be the one to handle it as you don't have the skills needed to help, other than giving him heaps of support while he gets professional help.
Good luck.
2007-01-07 19:22:59 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You talk to your mom or dad- the brother or sister of your aunt or uncle and let them know... your cousin need his parents understanding and maybe counceling which is a good thing.
You can not keep this on your shoulders. Sometimes it is hard to be strong and do the right thing... but you must.
2007-01-07 19:12:11 · answer #3 · answered by lindasue m 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ask him to confide in you. tell him you would never betray him and show him that you do love him and want to help! dont threaten to run off and tell any adult type figure if he doesnt want them to know because he will lose all trust in you. ask him and beg him to please stop and if he ever feels the urge to cut or is depressed then tell him that he can come to you any time day or night and you wont reject or judge him because im sure all he really needs right now is someone to love him and care about him. i was a cutter too and the ones i loved helped me to stop. love is the strongest healer of all but it needs time to grow and flourish.
2007-01-07 19:21:53 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋