What would you say if a friend of yours told you they cut themselfs?

Question

They say its not that bad and that they only have a few scars and mostly all they do is scratch up their arm, but they do it because of the home they live in. What would you do? O and you PROMISED not to tell. I'm not sure b/c i dont' think its that bad and only 40% of cutters kill themselfs, so i'm not sure what to do. i'm worried if i tell they will do it more and that if i don't it could get bad though they admited that when the get mad they imediatly think of getting sizzors or a knife to cut with but they say its not bad.....what do i do?

Answer 1

I think this is one promise you're going to have to break. You need to tell your parents and a trusted adult at school, like your favorite teacher or the school counselor. Your friend needs help and may even need to get out of the home they're living in. Telling you was probably a cry for help. Even if your friend finds out that you told and gets mad (and they don't necessarily have to know it was you), they will thank you for this eventually.
I'm not sure where you got your statistic that only 40% of killers kill themselves, but that's still a huge number. And the other 60% who don't die are living miserable lives. You have the power to get help for your friend that they are unable to get for yourselves. Please talk to your parents about this tonight!

Answer 2

Geez only 40% percent huh...that's almost half, what makes you think your friend is not part of that half. You need to go talk to your school counselar, you don't need to tell them who is doing the cutting, but at least they can help you with the next step. Please don't just sit there and assume your friend is ok, they are hurting inside and trying to mask this hurt through physical pain/mutilation. What there doing is bad...not in the sense like their a bad person, but like their actions are not safe. Your friend needs to get this under control ( find another outlet for their anger and frustrations) and you need to be the one to help them. If your friend gets mad b/c they thought you told, they will get over it in time, it's better than going to their funeral, knowing all to well you could have saved their life

Answer 3

WHO says its not bad?? The one cutting?? They won't say if it is bad. If you do it it's BAD!! YOU have an obligaton to tell and get them help. They need help NOW!!! I know people who have cut themselves and theres SO much more to it than just cutting yourself. They need help now b4 its to late!!! Usually they are depressed and suicidal, and they can b halped. Be a GOOD friend and tell! I know its hard u feel like u r betraying them but u r actually betraying them by NOT telling.I really hope you get your friend some help. the best thing u can do is tell someone and b there 4 them. They are gonna need u. Good luck and hope everything works out 4 the best

Answer 4

I believe you really care about this friend...or you wouldn't have posted this question. Obviously your friend is under a lot of stress and emotional pain. Even though you promised not to tell, by doing so you put them at greater risk. By telling someone who can help or get the proper help for them, you're showing your friend you care enough to do something about their problem. That's being a true friend.

Answer 5

Telling an adult probably won't help. This really is a cry for attention most of the time, because usually when people hurt themselves they do it so that other people will know they're sad and hope they help them. But if they cut and make sure it does not show, and don't show it off like putting up a giant sign that says "I'm an Emo" by not dressing like one and acting like one and NOT saying stuff like "Well, when I cut myself It hurts only a little." and act happy and themselves all the time they really do want to die and don't want people to help them. Then you MUST tell an adult, even if you risk losing their friendship it's better than losing them entirely. But if they say stuff like "So what if I cut, leave me alone." and really show that they are emo than try to show them life isn't really that bad and give them chances to change back. And try to show them they matter and it's going to be okay. Trust me, and remember, no matter how hard their lfie may be I'm pretty sure there are people who still try and live out well even when the worst of the worst has happened.

Trust me, I had a friend who really shows off that she cuts, and she always ALMOST kills her self by ALMOST overdosing but not enough to actually do so. That's a cry for attention, and telling people won't help at all, but making them feel good about themselves will. Give em chances to be themselves again. But then I know someone who almost killed herself and no one ever knew because she didn't want them to know. but she changed. But telling an adult hardly helps because my friend still cuts and she has to go see a counselor, thearpy. You gotta make her know her life isn't so bad, and her life matters, and not everything sucks.

Answer 6

Pleas find an adult to tell and make shure they help your friend.They mat get upset but you are by far doing the right thing.You should be proud of yourself for being a good enough friend to care.

Answer 7

OMG!! that is HORRID! Ok you need to tell your mom or an adult i know you'll think your friend will hate u but ur only doing it because u care abt her, and it will just get worse if u dont tell.

Answer 8

Tell ASAP as time goes on the cutting will get worst unnoticed they need help.lol

Answer 9

If I were you I would tell a trusted adult asap. Your friend might be mad at you but at least you are protecting her and she will realize it later.

Answer 10

i would probably tell my parents. do u no if it has to do anything with their parents??
r they mean? maybe if u tell ure parents they could help. and if u dont want to tell ure parents u can talk to a school counselor. im sorry if none of this realy helps =- (