What can I do to help a friend that is cutting?

Question

If one of my friends is cutting themselves and you can see the scars clearly is that a problem? And what can I do to stop and help them? Or is that there problem let them do whatever they want? Help?

Answer 1

Is this friend under 18? Then you have to tell his/her parents. You don't want to do that? You don't want to get her in trouble...or, especially mad at you? Then you aren't a friend. She might be upset in the beginning, but when she gets help she will realize that you saved her life and she'll be grateful. Don't tell her parents and she can die. Yes, if you are already cutting you are on the edge of slitting your wrists.
If this person is over 18.....then they still need help, but no one can force them.

Answer 2

Its really something that your friend need to realize is a problem before they can stop. You telling them to stop won't work, it'll only draw attention to the scars and probably embarrass your friend. If you friend is under 18, tell their parents/your parents/a teacher so as they can try to organize appropriate help. You friend needs to understand why they cut, and how the cutting "helps" them. Counseling may help, but good luck getting your friend to go!

Answer 3

Someone who does this had experienced trauma of some kind that they are not talking about..to anyone.
Cutting is a dangerous sign. If it is a minor, tell their parents immediately. They need professional help, Honey. This isn't normal. Different kinds of cutting also means different things. This is nothing to mess around with! Tell her/his family, or school nurse or counselor or even a suicide prevention hotline if you have to.

Answer 4

You should confront them and explain to them that punishing themselves is not the way to solve anything. You should try to seek the problem, and ask why he/she is cutting his/herself. If you are unable to determine the cause, you should ask an adult for assistance.

Do not allow your friend to continue this harmful practice, as it could lead to something more serious.

Answer 5

try to get them to open up to you about what they are going through, as they begin to open up about what is causing them to cut, then it will reduce the amount that they are feeling the need to cut and eventually it will stop, they do need counseling, but they also need a good friend

Answer 6

Don't confront them without talking to a counselor of sorts. The one thing you don't want to do is make them feel embarrassed or even worse........... Contact your local mental health department, they can refer you to someone who can help. You'll probably have to act like a mediatary of sort until your friend feels up to getting help themselfs....

Answer 7

If you're under 18, you have to tell your parents so they can contact his/her parents. If you can't bring yourself to tell your parents, tell a school counselor or another trusted adult. Cutting is a symptom of a serious problem.

Answer 8

If your friend is cutting, try to convince him or her to talk to a doctor or counselor. Cutting is a way (not a good one) to relieve pain or feelings that you feel in your head. It is usually more common in girls, but is still not unheard of in boys. It also usually occurs in teens or adolescents.

Answer 9

tell her to take not cutting her self a day at a time she is hurting and angry for some reason don't run and tell some one just talk to her and tell her you love her as a friend and don't want her to hurt herself

Answer 10

See self harm, at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris on page 16: print/copy or refer them.